Tabcorp takes AHA, Entain to court over NSW ad deal
Australian betting giant Tabcorp has launched preliminary proceedings in the New South Wales Supreme Court against Entain — one of its major rivals — for signing a long-term advertising deal with the Australian Hotels Association (AHA).
According to the company, Entain entered into a deal with the AHA that will see pubs under the association display advertisements of digital betting platforms Ladbrokes and Neds on their premises. Whether this will infringe on Tabcorp’s current agreement with the state to operate retail betting exclusively in NSW pubs and clubs is unclear to the company. The company claims Entain provided scant information about the deal, saying only that the deal does not interfere with the arrangement Tabcorp has with the state government.
In its statement to the Supreme Court, Tabcorp said: “Tabcorp has written to Entain and AHA NSW to inform them of our concerns about the arrangements proposed to be implemented by Entain in NSW pubs that are members of AHA NSW. We have advised both Entain and AHA NSW that we are concerned that the proposed arrangements with Entain may, depending on all of the facts, raise a risk of contravening the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998 (NSW).
“Entain and AHA NSW have not provided sufficient information to Tabcorp on the Entain proposal in order for Tabcorp to decide whether to commence substantive proceedings against Entain and AHA NSW.”
Tabcorp is essentially demanding information so as to determine if it will take proper legal action against Entain and what kind of legal action it will take. In the long run, the company is seeking to protect its share of the Australian gambling market, which some have called a “monopoly”.
When questioned about the move, both AHA and Entain acknowledged receipt of Tabcorp’s injunction and added they will look into it.
