Acquirer(s)
- Tabcorp
Target(s)
- ACTTAB
Market definition
The ACCC's assessment focussed on:- the market for the national supply of wagering products and services, and
- the market for supply of off-course retail totalisator wagering products and services in the Australian Capital Territory.
The ACCC also considered the effects of the proposed acquisition on the:
- market for the supply of pooling services nationally, and
- the bidding market for state-based totalisator licences.
For the purposes of the competition analysis, the ACCC did not consider it necessary to form a definitive view regarding market definitions.
Competition analysis
The ACCC formed the view that the proposed acquisition was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in any of the relevant markets. Relevant factors in reaching this conclusion included:- Tabcorp and ACTTAB had limited direct competitive overlap in their local retail operations
- the proposed acquisition involved a bare transfer of ACTTAB's exclusive totalisator licence in the ACT
- the proposed acquisition would not significantly increase Tabcorp's market share in the national wagering market
- in the supply of wagering products and services nationally, Tabcorp would continue to face competition from corporate bookmakers and other state-based totalisators
- ACTTAB was not a vigorous competitor in the national market for pooling services
- ACTTAB obtained pooling services from Tabcorp via the SuperTAB pool, therefore the impact of the acquisition on pooling was minimal, and
- the proposed acquisition was unlikely to materially alter Tabcorp's current or future position in bidding for wagering licences.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
ACCC commenced review under the Merger Process Guidelines. |
|
Closing date for submissions from interested parties. |
|
ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition. |