Telstra plans move into interactive TV gambling

Written On  4/12/11 By Recentpoker.com staff writer Emily Apontif :

AUSSIE BIG GUN ENTERING THE TV GAMBLING FIELD

Telstra plans move into interactive TV gambling to pull in more eyeballs

Australian press reports indicate that the major Australian ISP and entertainment group Telstra is planning an entry into the interactive television gambling vertical to boost viewers of its operations. It is believed that new content is envisaged for the group's Big Pond TV Network.

The carrier, which is set to benefit from the roll out of the National Broadband Network in Australia, believes betting will attract consumers, and it is looking to part finance the $400 million bid by ThroughVision (TVN) to acquire the racing channel Sky Channel, currently owned by Tabcorp.

If the acquisition goes through, punters will be able to gamble on Samsung and LG Smart TVs, Telstra T Boxes and a multitude of Blu Ray players and set top boxes running the new Telstra BigPond TV software that allows for real time streaming of live sporting events.

Telstra is a 50 percent shareholder in Foxtel, and could also benefit if that company acquires Austar United Communications, the regional Pay TV provider, which has a direct relationship with Two Way Limited – a company that provides wagering on the regional pay TV network.

Australian newspapers speculate that the moves could bring the companies into conflict with federal Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her gambling advisory committee, which is currently under attack from vociferous anti-gambling politicians like Independent Party  MP's Andrew Wilkie and Nick Xenophon.