Australian betting operator Sportsbet calls on legalizing online in-play betting to keep Aussie punters from black market.

In a submission to the Barry O’Farrell-led review of Australian online betting laws, Paddy Power-owned Sportsbet has urged the government to allow licensed Australian bookmarkers to offer online live-sports betting. The company suggested that the inability of the local operators to offer the product pushes more punters onto the international “black market.”

“In a real sense the IGA is ‘analogue’ legislation ill-suited and ill-equipped to deal with the digital age,” said Sportsbet. “Consumers now expect to be able to wager on their mobile devices and over the internet but Australian licensed wagering service providers cannot legally provide this in-play product.”

Sportsbet has also estimated that up to AUD2.2 billion ($1.6 billion) tax revenue could be lost by 2020.