Tatts Group accused of engaging in a A$5 million “misinformation” campaign against rival
Tatts Group‘s A$5 million anti-Lottoland campaign in Australia (see prevous InfoPowa reports) may have consequences for the gambling group following a complaint lodged by the online lottery betting company with the New South Wales Liquor & Gaming regulator.
Local media reports Thursday note that the regulator has confirmed to Lottoland that it has launched an investigation into its complaints that Tatts may be in contravention of its licensing conditions through its involvement in a A$5 million campaign which Lottoland claims included misinformation designed to sway public, retail ticket seller and government opinion against it.
InfoPowa readers will recall that late last year Tatts supported efforts by the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA) in a “Lottoland’s Gotta Go” campaign which alleged that Lottoland’s betting product (in which players bet on the outcome of a variety of international lotteries) was “fake lotto betting”.
Lottoland has complained that Tatts “dishonestly” sought to commercially protect its own lottery interest as the motivation for its involvement in the campaign, which Lottoland claims effectively created a monopoly for Tatts (now part of Tabcorp) in Australia
The campaign resulted in federal government banning legislation which Lottoland is currently challenging, along with a ban imposed by its regulator, the Northern Territory Racing Commission.on Lottoland offering local lottery-based products
Lottoland has since offered participation deals to retail ticket selling news agents, which the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association rejected out of hand but which is being considered by the Newsagents Association of NSW and ACT.
