Last week Betfair and Sportingbet Australia filed a legal challenge in Australia's High Court against New South Wales rules that prohibit the companies from advertising in the state.
"We are licensed in the Northern Territory and we're not allowed to advertise in New South Wales," said Michael Sullivan, chief executive of Sportingbet Australia. "That is a restriction of trade between states and territories, and we believe it to be unconstitutional."
New legislation that took effect July 1 requires companies to pay a license fee for the use of NSW race fields information. Betfair spokesperson Andrew Twaits said his company is happy to pay the fee, but believes it should be permitted to compete on a level field by being allowed to advertising.