The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted authorisation to Tabcorp Wagering Manager (Vic) Pty Ltd (Tabcorp) in relation to its agreement with ACTTAB Limited (ACTTAB) to provide fixed odds wagering management services.

Under the agreement, ACTTAB customers will "have access to the same fixed odds products at the same prices or odds as Tabcorp customers" and in return, Tabcorp will earn a management fee.

The ACCC considered that the proposed arrangements were likely "to result in public benefits arising from enhanced product offerings for ACTTAB's customers" and would "outweigh the detriment caused to the public constituted by a lessening of competition arising from the conduct".

With regard to public detriment, the ACCC considered that the arrangements were "unlikely to result in significant public detriment due to the significant presence of betting exchanges and corporate bookmakers in Australia and overseas, which compete with ACTTAB and Tabcorp for customers and drive pricing in relation to fixed odds wagering".

Authorisation is a process where the ACCC may grant protection from legal action for conduct that might otherwise breach the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (Act). In this case, certain provisions of the agreement between Tabcorp and ACTTAB could have been considered anti-competitive or have breached the Act for example, a requirement that ACTTAB appoint Tabcorp as the exclusive provider of relevant services could be considered exclusive dealing.

ACTTAB previously acquired fixed off wagering services from Centrebet Pty Ltd.

The ACCC has granted authorisation until 9 May 2018.

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