Leaked Aussie Ban List Includes Betfair (Update)

Betting exchanges chief Downunder reported "outraged"

March 19, 2009 (InfoPowa News) -- New revelations on the leaked Australian government secret blocked site list at Wikileaks (see previous report) are adding fuel to the fire Down Under, with the online betting exchange group Betfair reportedly on the list of sites which government agency the Australian Communications and Media Authority wants ISPs to block.

According to the publication Computerworld, Betfair CEO in Australia Andrew Twaits is outraged that the respectable multi-billion dollar company has been blacklisted under the government Internet content filters, a move that could cost the company dearly and is almost certain to trigger litigation if true.

Twaits was unaware that Betfair had been blacklisted when contacted by Computerworld, and said there had been no contact with Betfair by the ACMA prior to the blacklisting.

The global Betfair.com site was one of many legitimate sites blocked by the ACMA, including dentists, bus companies and even a tour operator, all without notification or justification.

"We didn't know [about the ban]. We've been licensed to operate in Australia for three years and have never received a complaint or any allegation that Betfair locally or globally is not permitted to be used by Australians," said a disturbed Twaits. “The global Betfair site is used by Australians every day.”

Under the Interactive Gambling Act, it is illegal for overseas companies to offer gambling services to Australians and Betfair blocks local customers from accessing its U.K. poker and casino products.

Twaits said Betfair is probably the only company in the world that blocks its customers from accessing the overseas gambling services.

“I need to find out what the implications are and how we got on the list,” Twaits said. “I'm amazed that this has happened.”

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