Although the Australian government has still to make its decision on in-play sports betting, operators are continuing to take advantage of a loophole that enables them to offer such services in the country.

Unibet has become the latest major brand to launch an in-play betting offering in Australia, joining the likes of William Hill, Bet365 and Ladbrokes.

The company’s new service operates in a similar fashion to those offered by rival firms, in that it utilises voice-over-internet protocol technology. 

Customers that opt to use the service, currently only available via desktop on the Firefox or Chrome browsers, can place bets by clicking a button on-screen and confirming the wager with an automated phone call, without actually having to say a word. 

Australia’s 2001 Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) states that although bets on live sports events can be taken at retail outlets or on the phone, such a service cannot be offered online. However, bookmakers that are operating in-play betting in the country are avoiding this legality with the loophole of using voice-over-internet protocol technology.

TotallyGaming.com says: “By taking so long to make a decision over the law, Australia’s government is not only leaving operators and the wider market in limbo, but also missing out on potentially millions of dollars in additional tax income.”