Regulatory clampdown prompts William Hill to review Australian operations

Despite an upbeat performance in 2017, bookmaker William Hill has announced that it will be reviewing its business in Australia as it’s “clear” that the credit betting ban and a possibility of new taxes Down Under will hit the company’s profitability.

In a trading statement, the London Stock Exchange-listed company said it expects its full-year adjusted operating profit to reach £290 million (US$399.72 million), up 11% compared to the previous year thanks to company’s “good momentum in both the UK and U.S. markets,” as well as “stronger gross win margin and the benefits of the transformation program.”

William Hill, however, said its Australia business faces a hit to profits given the government’s tightened regulatory environment. Starting Feb. 1, 2018, online betting companies are prohibited from offering “free bets” or lines of credit to customers as part of the government’s crackdown on problem gambling. Bookmakers are also facing a 15% point of consumption tax (POCT), which is expected to take effect in January 2019.

“Given the credit betting ban in Australia and the likely introduction of a Point of Consumption tax in a number of states, it is clear that profitability will increasingly come under pressure and therefore we are undertaking a strategic review of our Australia business,” William Hill said in a statement.