Tabcorp calls for gaming industry changes

Fierce competition among the rising number of betting agencies has fuelled a rapid increase in advertising, and critics argue children and young viewers are being bombarded.

Tabcorp chairwoman Paula Dwyer says $89 million was spent on gambling advertising in Australia last year, up 34 per cent on the prior year.

The company behind the TAB brand, itself a major advertiser, shares the public's concern about the volume of gambling ads, she said.

"It's the scale of advertising: I think there are legitimate community concerns around this," Ms Dwyer told Tabcorp's annual general meeting.

Growth in online advertising is also an issue, while live betting on sport and the offer of credit by bookmakers needs urgent attention from regulators, she said.

Live betting is only allowed in agency outlets or over the phone, but some operators are now taking live bets through digital apps, Ms Dwyer said.

The emergence of unlicensed offshore operators targetting Australian gamblers must be addressed, as they threaten the integrity of racing and sport, she said.

Clear national regulations are needed, and a level playing field for all operators would help to address the soaring amounts being spent on betting ads. "We think that will temper betting advertising," Ms Dwyer said.

A recently announced federal government review into illegal online wagering presents an opportunity to set a standard for the industry, and redefine online gambling, she said.

A well regulated gambling industry is in everyone's interests because gambling generates revenue for the government, which is returned to the community, Ms Dwyer said.

Meanwhile, chief executive David Attenborough said Tabcorp's revenue was up 1.1 per cent to $543.5 million in the first three months of the 2015/16 financial year.

Wagering turnover was up 3.2 per cent at $3.1 billion, with digital gaming posting the strongest growth. Keno revenues were up 2.8 per cent at $55.8 million.

Tabcorp has rolled out a number of betting outlets aimed at melding Tabcorp's physical betting outlets and the growing popularity of digital betting, and 20 more are planned before Christmas, Mr Attenborough said.

"We've rolled out a number of pilot stores. The customers are enjoying the products," he told reporters. Tabcorp shares dropped 22 cents, or 4.4 per cent,to $4.73.