The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ruled that Tabcorp’s in-play betting service is compliant with the country’s gambling legislation.
The operator’s ‘Tap in-play’ service allows customers at licensed Tabcorp venues to use their personal devices to build in-play bets.
Bets are created via player accounts on the TAB app, with customers then required to tap their device against the Tap in-play station at the Tabcorp venue to place the wager.
In-play betting via the internet is prohibited in Australia per the country’s Interactive Gaming Act (IGA) 2001.
However, a ‘place-based betting service’ exception was placed in the IGA in 2017, allowing for in-venue in-play betting using electronic betting terminals (EBTs).
The ACMA began its investigation into Tabcorp’s Tap in-play product in May 2025, after the operator received approval from Liquor & Gaming NSW to trial the service.
During the trial, Tabcorp implemented robust safer gambling measures whereby if a person placed a Tap in-play bet of more than A$300 (£158) or had combined Tap in-play bets in a day in excess of A$1,000, an alert would be sent to the Tabcorp safer gambling team.
If the team identified any ‘red flag’ behaviour, it would contact the customer by phone within 10 to 15 minutes.
The ACMA noted that these initial measures were limited in nature due to them relying on a member of Tabcorp’s safer gambling team being able to contact the person in-venue.
Tabcorp subsequently upgraded its responsible gambling protocols into a real-time intervention (RTI) strategy, which is operational 24/7 and able to identify in real time any customers who may be experiencing gambling-related harm.
The ACMA’s report stated: “With the introduction of Tabcorp’s RTI strategy, the responsible gambling measures which are in place for account holders, including those using the Tap in-play service, are stronger than those that currently apply to the use of EBTs.
“This needs to be balanced against the risk for customers that an additional in-play place-based betting service will provide.
“Given the Act clarifies that in venue in-play betting using EBTs is legal, and noting the additional responsible gambling measures which will apply to Tap in-play users, we have concluded that the better view is the Tap in-play service is consistent with the intent of the IGA.
“Having regard to the submissions from Tabcorp and in recognition that this matter comes down to a finely balanced view of the applicable law, we consider that the preferable construction is that the Tap in-play service is not a prohibited interactive gambling service.”
The regulator noted that it will continue to monitor the deployment of the Tap in-play service and will remain in constant dialogue with Tabcorp.
The ACMA added: “The ACMA recognises that in-play betting can pose a high risk to people prone to gambling harm.
“The rollout of the Tap in-play service depends on separate state and/or territory regulatory approvals. If state and/or territory approval is given, the ACMA will closely monitor the introduction and operation of the Tap in-play service.
“Tabcorp will report to the ACMA on the implementation of RTI, including updates to the system, and any incidents that relate to customers using the Tap in-play service.”
Earlier this month, Tabcorp was fined A$158,000 by the ACMA for accepting more than 400 illegal in-play tennis bets between 2024 and 2025.
The regulator also sanctioned six operators, including Tabcorp, over self-exclusion breaches.
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The post ACMA clears Tabcorp’s in-play betting service of law violation first appeared on EGR Intel.
Regulator rules the operator’s ‘Tap in-play’ product is not in breach of Australia’s gambling legislation after qualifying for a special exemption
The post ACMA clears Tabcorp’s in-play betting service of law violation first appeared on EGR Intel.