Bookie Racism
 

Tried to open some bookie accounts with UK bookies last night, and successfully opened six accounts with smaller bookies no problem at all.
However, the three biggest bookies would not accept Australian customers at all.
When queried they said it was because of Government legislation or commercial agreement. I believe this is a furphy, because six other bookies welcomed me knowing I was in Australia.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

My guess it has something to do with the ownership of the books here, maybe they are involved or are trying to get involved.

I think Shaun is on the right track.
Have you had any a/c's closed here that could be owned by the same groups overseas?

I understand Paddy Potato, but not Badblokes, or Bill Hill.
No I've never even bet with an online bookie before, always the tote in the old days and then Betfair.

I had my laddies account closed, i am sure they were trying to buy a book over here at one point.

Ah that explains it more, I also wondered if it was something to do with betting inplay on sports, perhaps they just blanket ban us because they can't restrict inplay betting on sports with their software.
Anyway, I think in this day and age, they'd be screaming for new business with so much competition.
Funny I noticed several advertised countries such as USA Canada Turkey and some others that were on the front page that couldn't join but no mention of Australia until you try and select it from the signup menu.
We weren't there!

P.S. My nephew is setting up a server over there right now as he lives over there :D