Tabcorp-Tatts merger spells doom for UBET, Luxbet betting brands

Some made-in-Australia wagering brands appear headed for the chopping block as a result of the pending merger of Tabcorp Holdings with rival Tatts Group.

Last week’s approval of the Tabcorp-Tatts merger by Aussie competition watchdogs spells big changes for the local gambling industry, including the possible demise of Tabcorp’s Northern Territory-licensed online betting brand Luxbet and Tatts’ UBET wagering brand.

Speaking to RSN’s Racing Pulse program this week, Tabcorp CEO David Attenborough said “the most obvious or notable changes” from the merger would be in the states where UBET operates – Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania – as the enlarged company would “extend the TAB brand … so the UBET brand will fall away.”

Tatts launched the UBET brand in April 2015 to encompass its Tattsbet, Tatts.com, TAB and Tote brands, which prompted Tabcorp to take some public potshots at its rival’s new betting identity. Despite this ribbing, Tatts enjoyed healthy growth at its rebranded betting operations, particularly online.