Online AUSTRALIA
ONLINE LIBERALS
Having cracked down hard on the once burgeoning online sector, an Australian Government report now promotes liberalisation
An interim report on Internet gambling in Australia has suggested that Australians should be allowed to play online poker and bet on sporting events via Internet gaming sites.
Casino style games are not part of the recommendations though and would remain banned across Australia.
The paper, delivered to the federal government by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, stated that Australians were already betting around $1bn each year via offshore illegal sites.
The proposals include options for self- exclusion, pre-commitment levels and the display of data informing customers of how much they have spent.
It also suggests that a trial period of online poker should be launched to evaluate its popularity and any negative effects. The review was welcomed by gambling companies including Tabcorp, Betfair and
Sportsbet.com.au.
Tabcorp said: “The growth of online technologies has meant the Act is not fulfilling its intended purposes. Specifically, a number of gambling operators offer online services to Australian customers in contravention of the Act, without consequence. Tabcorp reiterates its support for an online gambling framework that creates a level playing field for wagering operators, minimises harm and maintains consumer confidence in the gambling industry. Core to Tabcorp’s position is the creation of a well regulated online gambling environment, with nationally consistent rules which are enforced.”
Tabcorp also asked for provisions to be made to strengthen sanctions against illegal, online gambling operators, including more forceful warnings to consumers. “To succeed, these measures will require vigilance by authorities, resourcing from government and regular review to keep pace with technological change,” it said. “The measures proposed should go some way to ensuring that
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“The deregulation of certain online
gambling activities, such as live betting on sports events and tournament poker, would
enable Australians who wish to
participate in such
activities to bet with reputable Australian
operators, rather
than force them to bet with
contravening
offshore or local operators.”
Government Interim report into Internet Gambling in Australia.
contravening operators are more likely to comply with the Act’s requirements and are sanctioned when they are breached.”
It also stated: “The deregulation of certain online gambling activities, such as live betting on sports events and tournament poker, would enable Australians who wish to participate in such activities to bet with reputable Australian operators, rather than force them to bet with contravening offshore or local operators.”
Independent Senator, Nick Xenophon, slammed the review, however, saying its recommendations were a ‘thinly disguised sell-out to expose more Australians to online gambling.’ He said the fact that Australians were using illegal overseas gambling sites was no reason to liberalise the sector.
“This would be an unmitigated disaster if this interim report is implemented into law,” he said. “There is no question that if you open up online gambling in this country, you will see a massive new tidal wave of problem gamblers, particularly young men.”
Only two years ago the Australian government rejected a similar set of proposals recommended by the Productivity Commission.
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