On January 22nd, 2009, British bookmaker Ladbrokes has expressed interest in the Victorian betting and gambling license currently held by Tabcorp, which is set to expire by 2012 and become open to gaming competition for the first time in the state's gaming history. This week, Ladbrokes sent two of its officials, Kevin Hopgood and Steve Maxwell, on a tour of vital industry players to examine the current situation in Victoria.
Ladbrokes Managing Director of International Development, Kevin Hopgood said that Australia has various attractions for the company. From a sporting point of view there are a lot of similarities to the United Kingdom-from horse racing, greyhounds, cricket, rugby and tennis. He added that the sports and the culture of the UK and Australia are very similar. Hopgood said that they view it as a gaming market that they could deliver a good offer to the Australia mobile gambling.
Hopgood said that the Victorian gaming license is a one-of-a kind opportunity. We would build a thriving Australian business making full use of their experience back in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the world. Ladbrokes would be able to give a bigger gaming service than Tabcorp's offering, with Victorian players benefiting from Ladbrokes' state-of-the art technology. While visiting some TAB agencies in the state, Hopgood was surprised at the technology in use, saying that the screen technology that Ladbrokes is using was about fifteen years ahead of what was currently being used.
Hopgood said that Ladbrokes would offer better technology, which in turn would bring in excellent presentation with more gaming products, especially with the sports wagering side. Ladbrokes' Chief Information Officer, Steve Maxwell said that they have an outstanding technology to present the product. The Ladbrokes system is multiple channel-retail, Internet, telephone, Television and mobile phone.
It is all access points with the customer who can utilize all of those options with a single Ladbrokes account. Other bookmakers said to be interested in acquiring the Victorian betting and gambling license include Australia's Tattersall's, incumbent Tabcorp, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Betfair.
February 23, 2009
Nancy Parker