Sports Betting in Australasia
Australasia consists of a number of countries that are
vehemently passionate about sport. This passion often includes placing direct bets on certain sporting outcomes or participating in a fantasy sports league.
Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Samoa may have a lot in common in certain respects, but the laws governing sports betting are very different. Here’s a closer look at how sports betting and gambling, in general, are governed in each of these countries.
Australia is a Gambling Giant
Australians have always been known to be sports-mad. Apart from watching and participating in, they also like to bet on various sporting disciplines. It should come as no surprise that Australia is one of the world’s gambling giants. Regardless of how popular gambling activities may be, however, it remains illegal for foreign entities to provide online betting activities in the country. Luckily for sports enthusiasts, this law does not apply to sports betting, exempting it from the ban. This is, of course, also only applicable to locally licensed operators. At present, the most popular sports to bet on in the country include golf, soccer, American football, Aussie rules football, cricket, and rugby.
It’s all about the TAB in New Zealand
Sport and track betting in New Zealand is legalized courtesy of TAB NZ. It was created under the racing act of 2003 and serves as the umbrella organization for all types of sports betting including horse racing, cricket, rugby, and even sheep shearing. The agency donates approximately 80% of its total revenue to players while also being a big supporter of sport development in the country. Just like with any online casino, it is essential to be able to distinguish which sites are legitimate and which aren’t. Only ever bet on sites that are licensed and remember that bonuses that seem too good to be true, usually are. Thankfully, there is a large
variety of esteemed online gambling and sports betting sites that cater to the New Zealand population from abroad.
Legislation is Complicated in Fiji and Samoa
Although both Fiji and Samoa are sport-loving nations, very strict gambling laws have a huge impact on the extent to which residents can bet on various sporting activities. Although some forms of gambling are legal in Fiji, the 2009 Gambling Act stipulates very clearly that slot machines and casinos are prohibited. Over in Samoa gambling was, for the most part, illegal until 2010. Today,
casinos can legally operate in resorts, hotels, and designated casino buildings. Where fully-fledged sports betting is still throttled by many laws and regulations, fantasy sports conveniently falls into a grey area that makes it easier, and legal, to access. All Samoa’s gambling regulations are only applicable to actual residents. Visiting tourists are free to gamble online to their heart’s content while in the country.
Sports betting continues to grow more popular in Australasia. As laws and regulations are eased, it is bound to diversify and grow even more rapidly than what it currently is.