Victorian government angry over Australian Open bookmaker deal as police examine in-play betting

THE State Government is fuming over a Tennis Australia partnership with a bookmaker that offers in-play betting on matches, which is illegal online.

Roger Federer of Switzerland walks to his courtside seat during his first round match against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

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THE State Government is fuming over a Tennis Australia partnership with a bookmaker that offers in-play betting on matches, which is illegal online.

The organiser of the Australian Open is facing a barrage of criticism over its multimillion-dollar William Hill deal. The Australian Federal Police is examining a complaint about the bookmaker’s in-play betting service.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority had a complaint thrown out in October, but the AFP ­received a second complaint about the service on December 24.

Placing in-play bets online is illegal in Australia, but William Hill has found a loophole, with a mobile phone app that places bets using VoiceOver IP calls, similar to FaceTime or Skype.

Tennis is seen as ideal for match ­fixing because it involves bribing only one player. Huge sums of money can be made on individual points — ­making it much harder to identify.

The Government is furious at seeing Melbourne’s logo next to William Hill signage on worldwide TV coverage of the Open. “It’s fair to say there are concerns,” a senior source said.

The news comes as allegations of match fixing swamp the sport and Tennis Australia implodes, with the resignation of three board members over apparently unrelated issues.

William Hill branding at the Australian Open. Picture: AP

World No.1 Novak Djokovic, who has said he was ­approached to fix a match, is among those to question the Tennis Australia gaming deal.

Other players have labelled Tennis Australia “hypocritical” while responsible-gambling groups are outraged, saying the unprecedented William Hill sponsorship deal was “shocking”.

Australia’s greatest female player, Margaret Court, said the prevalence of betting in the modern game was a concern.

“They probably are opening up a can of worms,’’ she said.

The Herald Sun also understands Tennis Australia has been contacted by other stunned grand slam organisers for a “please explain”.

The law regarding in-play betting states calls must be made using “a standard telephone service”.

If prosecuted and found guilty, William Hill could be fined up to $1.2 million for each day, since April 20, it has offered the service.

Tennis is seen as ideal for match ­fixing because it involves bribing only one player and huge sums of money can be made.

Asked about betting companies being involved in tournaments, Djokovic said: “Hon­estly, it’s on a borderline.’’

A federal government report into gambling was launched in September and covered in-play betting.

The findings, by former NSW premier Barry O’Farrell, were handed in last month but have yet to be made public.

The Herald Sun has spoken to several sources who confirmed that the State Government — which has given hundreds of millions of dollars to Tennis Australia to redevelop Melbourne Park — is unhappy with the decision to partner with a bookmaker.

The Herald Sun understands the deal will make Tennis Australia about $5 million.

Tennis Australia PR manager Prue Ryan said: “Wagering is a legal pastime in Australia and has long been associated with our event.

A significant aspect of this partnership is our capacity to work side-by-side to uphold the integrity framework of the sport.”

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