Tabcorp internet results strong

AUSTRALIA -- As reported by New Zealand Stuff: "Eleven years after punters began placing bets over the Internet, Tabcorp's annual revenues from Internet sales in racing and sports betting have topped $A1 billion ($NZ1.1b) for the first time.

"But innovative Internet rivals such as Northern Territory-based and AIM-listed Sportingbet are still ahead, with revenues in Europe and Australia worth $683 million in the third quarter alone.

"Other rivals include Centrebet - the Northern Territory operator that Tabcorp could have bought four years ago when it acquired Jupiters Casino - as well as IASbet, Canbet, Sports Acument and Global Sportsbet.

"Betting on racing and sports events through Tabcorp's website rose 23 per cent from $A819 million to $A1.012 billion in the past financial year.

"...By far the most popular way of lodging a bet is through TAB outlets and pubs and clubs, with 71 per cent of Tabcorp bets placed this way in the first half of the 2006-07 fiscal year.

"Phone betting, which began in 1994, still outpaces Internet sales, but its proportion is falling..."