GREEK gambling giant Intralot has backflipped on last week's pledge not to introduce SMS punting.

Intralot director John Katakis opened the door yesterday to SMS gambling once the company's Victorian licence took effect from 2009.

"If it serves the purposes of the game and the player, then why not?" he said on 3AW.

"Nowadays everybody is using the technology for some purpose to have a better life.

"If we have the opportunity and we are able to do it, then we do it."

However Mr Katakis said SMS gambling would not be available from the start of Intralot's operation in Victoria.

Intralot's new lottery licence was tabled in State Parliament last week and contained details of new games, including Keno, Pick 5 Heads or Tails, Cross & Match and Pick 3.

The licence also contained details of new ways to play the lottery games, including on mobile phones, the internet and vending machines.

Intralot director Tony Sheehan said last week that the company had no plans to introduce internet or mobile phone lotteries.

"They're things that could be done, but not things we are going to do," he said.

Mr Katakis said he expected Intralot to turn over $250 million in its first year.

Opposition gaming spokesman Michael O'Brien said that problem gambling would increase.

"If Intralot has been given the right to sell lottery tickets via SMS and vending machines, that's what they will do," Mr O'Brien said.

"(Gaming Minister) Tony Robinson was deceiving Victorians . . . last week by pretending otherwise. (Intralot) paid so much money for the licence, there's no doubt they're going to do it."

Mr O'Brien said there would be an increase in the sale of tickets, an increase in government revenue and an increase in problem gambling. A spokesman for Mr Robinson said SMS gambling would still have to be approved by the government regulator.

Spokesman Dan Ward said the Intralot licence contained the most extensive responsible gambling conditions ever in a Victorian lottery licence.

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