Tabcorp chairman Paula Dwyer has called on the Australian government to tackle unlicensed offshore betting on racing and sport.

Paula Dwyer

Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting, Dwyer said that estimates suggest as much as 14 per cent of betting by Australian-based customers is conducted with operators that are not licensed in Australia.

“This is concerning on a number of fronts,” she said, noting that there are risks to consumers and to the integrity of sport and racing.

She also stated that revenue that would otherwise be returned to the Australian racing industry and the government for “investment into communities and social infrastructure” is instead going to these unlicensed operators.

“It is only right and fair for consumers, sporting codes and taxpayers that all operators are subject to the same licence obligations,” she said. “Jurisdictions such as France have addressed the issue by prohibiting unlicensed offshore operators from taking bets from French residents. Such changes are also being put in place in the UK this week.

“Tabcorp’s view is that a similarly powerful response is needed in Australia and we are in active dialogue with the federal government on this issue.”