Progress continues in Australia as SportOdds, a bookmaking company formed in 1995, has launched an Internet sportsbook that's fully licensed by the government of New South Wales. The new site, developed by TGS Australia using Microsoft e-commerce technology, offers updated odds, bets on 23 sports and a betting minimum of $1.
"I am confident that the launch of bookmaker Internet sports betting in New South Wales will represent an important step in continuing to ensure that punters have local access to very competitive odds in a secure and well-regulated wagering environment," said NSW Gaming and Racing Minister, The Hon. Richard Face MP.
SportOdds' CEO Con Kafataris said that the site is just the beginning of a series of changes that will sweep the bookmaking industry in Australia over the next 10 years. "The platform from which the Australian bookmaking industry operates will be overhauled throughout the next decade," Mr. Kafataris says. "Continued innovations will revolutionise the business and will make it increasingly easy for punters to bet and win across an ever increasing range of sports.
"Public demand is making it clear that the way forward in the Australian wagering industry is by providing service to punters and by using technology to make access simpler for everyone who wants to participate. The challenge to all bookmakers is to meet the expectations of our punters. … The launch of the SportOdds site represents this new era and sets the standard for the industry across the country."
TSG Australia Manager of Software Development Mike Smith, said one of the big challenges in developing the site was making it both safe and secure. "Private password security and personalization provide secure access to account information, bet placement and sport results," he said. "The site will fall back into a 'safe mode' if the client leaves their computer unattended for more than a few moments."
Kafataris believes that Australia, particularly New South Wales, will dominated the sports betting market because of security and strong government regulation.
To stay competitive, the company will continue invest in new technology to continue improving its service. It was first company to be granted a sports betting license in New South Wales in April 1997.
In a related story, the New South Wales TAB, the only other operation offering NSW-licensed Internet sports betting, will begin taking bets Saturday on horse races in the U.S. The trial coverage will include four races from both Louisiana Downs and Ellis Park with racing times between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Selling will commence in all TAB outlets each Friday. NetTAB and PhoneTAB DIRECT will be available on Saturdays starting at 7:30 a.m. A full telecast and commentary will be seen on Sky Channel and to home viewers on the Sky Racing Channel. A radio service will also be provided to country areas via the Racing Radio Network and in the Sydney metropolitan area on 1620AM.