@CK – Schalk 201287 wrote:
I have to agree with Renee here. It will take a lot from a new outfit to start competing with the Aussie licensed sports books here in Australia.
Especially since the format of the product does not seem to be that of the normal bookmaker variety, but rather a “new” player to player concept (which I would assume is a betting exchange without actually saying “betting exchange”).
From what I can tell since the arrival of another exchange here in Aus, is that the punters here can’t be f*cked (to use one of my favorite Aussie terms:)) to learn how to use it. Hell, it’s hard enough getting punters out of the TAB and betting online, never mind teaching them a new system. A bloke who works with me, at an online sports book STILL PLACES HIS BETS AT THE TAB, despite the various benefits (which he is fully aware of) of online betting.
I also don’t think the Asia Pacific region is the primary target on Playtech’s mind here.
Nothing personal Greg. I don’t mean to seem like I’m attacking your views here mate, and you may well be right. Just a few observations from my experience in the Aus market.
I think you hit the nail on the head there…
I think Playtech would probably target Europe before us. I mean we have footy etc, but there are other bigger sports around the world with bigger punters like the soccer (football) in Europe, especially with the next world cup coming up next year in SA.
It also looks as though the “asia pacific” region is more interested in poker than anything else, especially the “asia” part :tongue:
A lot of Aussies still have no idea that you can play online. I was in my Italian class the other day and we were learning how to say what we do and when i told the teacher what I did, her reaction was “What? You can play casino games online?” She just couldn’t believe it was possible, and she’s not that old either, maybe in her 40s..
I think the way most media outlets portray online casino means that a lot of Aussies stear clear of it because they don’t know the legalities.
To add to Schalks part about his mate who still goes into the TAB – our guys also still go into the TAB. We don’t run a sportsbook, but they all know about them and still choose to go into the TAB. I think it’s also because it’s traditional to hang out at a pub with a TAB or similar. Aussie punters would rather be on the piss at the pub with their mates betting than in their house – it’s how we roll (Aussie’s I mean) :tongue: