The Race Fields Subcommittee of Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) today approved numerous betting service operators' requests to publish Victorian thoroughbred race fields until April 30, 2006. It did not, however, approve the application submitted by betting exchange operator Betfair.
Approval became necessary Tuesday when Section 2.5.16A of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, which prohibits unauthorized use of racing data, became operational.
RVL approved only corporate bookmakers licensed in states and territories of Australia; on-course bookmakers licensed in states and territories of Australia; totalisator operators in New Zealand and the mainland states and territories of Australia; and race clubs.
Betfair's application, submitted Tuesday, has been put on hold. RVL CEO Robert Nason said it was not considered by the subcommittee and will instead be referred to the full board.
"It is an extensive submission requiring extensive analysis," Nason said. "There are two aspects, integrity and a commercial consideration."
In other Betfair news, the Opposition has accused Victorian Premier Steven Bracks' government of engaging in corrupt behavior after taking six weeks to implement new racing laws approved by both houses. The delay, the Opposition argues, caused policymakers to question whether Betfair leaned on the government to delay the laws during its bid for a license from the Tasmanian government. The accusation was made under parliamentary privilege, which allows members to speak openly without the threat of recourse.
"Steve Bracks has created, in effect, veto power for himself over the will of the Parliament, Liberal Upper House leader Phil Davis said. "The fact this has happened suggests to us that a 'friend of Labor' has put in the fix--and we would like to know what the government has got out of it."
Bracks, of course sees it differently.
"As we explained from the very start," he said, "there were some compliance issues which we dealt with. They have been dealt with, and the legislation has been proclaimed as we said it would be."