CrownBet’s Online Betting App to go Live in Clubs NSW

Australia is the land of punters, where everyone gambles, and major sporting events are a time of risk-worthy celebration. Whether it’s the Australia Open, the Melbourne Cup or a Sydney United footy, Aussies are always ready to place a bet on TAB or whip out an online betting app.

In New South Wales, their options are about to get a lot more interesting. Early reports indicate that CrownBet, the punting arm of James Packer’s Crown Resorts Casinos, has secured a new contract to supply its digital betting services to Clubs NSW.

News of the partnership was splashed across local media on Monday, despite the deal having yet been confirmed by either party. As of Tuesday morning, however, confirmation and more specific details have been released.

The deal between CrownBet and Clubs NSW includes a 10-year contract that they believe will bring retail betting into the 21^st century, right alongside the current prevalence of online betting. At the same time, it will reflect Packer’s recent vocalized shift to concentrate more on his Australian businesses.

Good For Punters, Bad For TAB

The new deal should be a boon for pretty much everyone involved – except Tabcorp. That betting giant’s existing monopoly on in-venue betting across the country will surely take a hit.

Up until now, Clubs NSW has been restricted to providing its patrons with limited retail betting services from TAB, which don’t give punters a great deal of versatility. While the decision to install CrownBet’s upcoming live betting app is entirely optional for property owners, it’s assumed that the vast majority of the 1,350 Clubs NSW venues will jump on the opportunity.

Reports indicate that CrownBet beat out some stiff competition to secure the new contract with Clubs NSW. Also in the running were Tabcorp, Paddy Power Betfair (owner of local online bookie, Sportsbet), and Betting.Club.

A Win-Win for Live & Online Punters

The big kicker for members who use the CrownBet online betting app is that they’ll finally be able to cash out their winnings – in real cash. The deal will allow CrownBet to install cash redemption machines at Clubs NSW locations.

Punters will be able to log into their online betting accounts from these machines and withdrawal their funds in cash. The only way to get cash out of the online sportsbook, prior to this, was to have those funds transferred into the user’s bank account.

Another perk for CrownBet users will be the rewards point system. Punters who use the betting app, live or online, will earn rewards points for their wagers. The points will be available for redemption at all participating Clubs NSW venues. It’s also assumed that the rewards will become redeemable at Crown Sydney, once the new integrated casino resort property opens in 2021.

CrownBet’s First Foray Into In-Play Betting

Due to Australia gambling laws, online bookies are unable to provide users with in-play betting services. Such wagers are restricted to in-venue betting only. Up until now, CrownBet operated exclusively online. Thus the deal will give CrownBet the ability to provide legal in-play betting services to all customers through the new live betting facilities.