The ban on in-play online sports betting in Australia is set to remain in place until beyond the federal elections, the date for which is yet to be determined but which must take place no later than January, 2017.
Legislative reforms, most probably to the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act, look set to prohibit offshore operators targeting Australian punters but the bill cannot progress until parliament resumes after the election.
Not yet called, the federal poll cannot take place any later than January 14, 2017.
It is anticipated that once parliament is restored post-election, MPs will be asked to consider a three-tiered approach to updated online gaming legislation, taking in consumer protection and tackling offshore bookmakers before finally making a decision on whether in-play betting on sports should be legalised in the longer term.
