Interim authorisation allows SuperTAB agreements

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced it has granted conditional interim authorisation to Tabcorp Wagering Manager (Vic) Pty Ltd to give effect to agreements which govern participation in the SuperTAB pool.

SuperTAB is operated and hosted by Tabcorp and the agreements are with Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) and ACTTAB Limited (ACTTAB).

"Conditional interim authorisation will mean that, despite the pending expiry of their 2009 authorisation, ACTTAB and RWWA will continue to offer totalisator wagering using the SuperTAB pool," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

"This will maintain stability with the pooling services offered in the racing industry," Mr Sims said.

In 2009, the ACCC authorised similar conduct for Tabcorp Manager Pty Ltd, a related body corporate to the current applicant. The ACCC found that the public benefits would outweigh the detriment. The existing arrangements are due to expire on 15 August 2012.

The ACCC has not extended interim authorisation to give effect to two new provisions in the 2012 Agreement which have not been previously considered by the ACCC, specifically the 'international pool requirement' and 'foreign totalisator provision'.

The granting of interim authorisation in no way binds the ACCC in its consideration of the substantive application for authorisation.

The ACCC has sought submissions from interested parties on the Tabcorp's substantive application for authorisation. A draft decision on the substantive application will be issued in October 2012.