Australia’s communications regulator has completed its review of Tabcorp’s Tap in-play betting product and determined that the service does not breach federal interactive gambling legislation. The finding concludes an investigation into whether the in-venue wagering system contravened restrictions set out under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

Assessment Under Federal Gambling Law

The Australian Communications and Media Authority stated in its final report that “the Tabcorp Tap in-play service is not a prohibited interactive gambling service” under subsection 15(2A) of the Act. The decision centers on whether the product falls within a statutory exemption that permits certain forms of in-venue electronic betting.

Tap in-play allows customers physically present at licensed Tabcorp venues to use their smartphones to construct live bets through the TAB application. After building the wager digitally, users must complete the transaction by tapping their device against a dedicated in-venue station.

The regulator examined whether the product breached prohibitions on online in-play betting. Federal law generally restricts live online wagering, but it includes an exemption for specific venue-based services.

According to Asia Gaming Brief, ACMA concluded that the Tap in-play product qualifies as a “place-based betting service” under section 8BA of the Interactive Gambling Act. This exemption, introduced in 2017, clarified that electronic betting terminals operating inside licensed venues could facilitate in-play betting under certain conditions.

In its reasoning, the authority stated that “the preferable construction is that the Tap in-play service is not a prohibited interactive gambling service,” while noting the matter was “finely balanced” given the law’s harm minimization objectives.

The regulator emphasized that its determination relates specifically to the current configuration of the service within Tabcorp venues. Any expansion beyond that framework would require separate approval from state or territory regulators.

Consumer Protection Measures Reviewed

During the investigation, ACMA reviewed safeguards embedded within the Tap in-play platform. The authority acknowledged that in-play betting presents heightened risk for individuals vulnerable to gambling harm. It reiterated that the Interactive Gambling Act confines such wagering to physical venues to allow observation of betting behavior.

The regulator observed that Tabcorp’s Real Time Intervention system offers protections exceeding those applied to traditional electronic betting terminals. The Real Time Intervention system operates continuously and identifies customers who may show indicators of gambling-related risk.

ACMA stated it “recognises that in-play betting can pose a high risk to people prone to gambling harm. The IGA limits in-play betting to services provided at venues that allow for a level of observation of gambling behaviour.”

Tabcorp must provide regular reporting to the regulator concerning implementation of its Real Time Intervention strategy, including updates to the system and any incidents involving users of the Tap in-play service.

Future Monitoring And Rollout Conditions

Although the federal regulator cleared the service under existing law, further rollout depends on regulatory approval at the state and territory level. Should those approvals be granted, ACMA indicated it will monitor how the product operates in practice.

The authority stated it will closely oversee the introduction and ongoing use of the Tap in-play service if broader deployment proceeds. Oversight will include review of reporting obligations and compliance with consumer protection measures.

The ruling clarifies how newer wagering technologies can operate within the structure of Australia’s interactive gambling framework. By classifying the Tap in-play product under the place-based exemption, the regulator confirmed that digital bet construction paired with in-venue confirmation does not automatically constitute prohibited online wagering.