Australia - More Internet Gaming Tightening

[Fedya Fussball]

Block on Net Gambling

The Sydney Morning Herald

Federal legislation imposing a 12-month moratorium on Internet gambling came into effect yesterday, blocking two licences issued by the Australian Capital Territory Government.

Acting Communications Minister Peter McGauran told reporters in Melbourne that the planned government legislation would be retrospective from yesterday.

He said it would cover forms of interactive gambling not at present offered by existing providers.

The ACT Government has issued Internet gaming licences to ACTTAB, based in Canberra, and national company Tattersalls.

A month ago, the Federal Government asked the states to join a moratorium on new interactive gambling services but only New South Wales and Western Australia agreed.

"Consequently today, the Commonwealth has advised all states and territories of its intention to examine legislation for a 12-month moratorium on the introduction of new interactive gambling services and operatives as from today," Mr McGauran told reporters yesterday.

Although the states issued gaming licences and received revenue from it, the Commonwealth had constitutional powers over the Internet, including online gambling, he said.

The ACT Government yesterday defied the government's call for a moratorium by issuing two $200,000 Internet gambling licences to ACTTAB and Tattersalls. Those licences would be caught in the net of the government's new legislation if it was passed.

Mr McGauran said he would be surprised if the Democrats did not back it.

He said the community favored tougher regulation of gambling and did not want a "virtual casino in every lounge room".

"This is a social issue that the Commonwealth will take a lead on," he said.

The Federal Government intends investigating a permanent ban during the moratorium.

[AussieVamp2]

interesting given that sportsbet is attempting to get betting on line but still hasn't managed it yet

[Hartley]

Based on what was said at the gambling summit, I'd say the gambling moratorium will be short lived.

[AussieVamp2]

yeah, no reason not to set up internet casinos that rip off foreigners, and tax that

[AussieVamp2]

Block on Net gambling

Saturday 20 May 2000

Federal legislation imposing a 12-month moratorium on Internet gambling came into effect yesterday, blocking two licences issued by the Australian Capital Territory Government.

Acting Communications Minister Peter McGauran told reporters in Melbourne that the planned government legislation would be retrospective from yesterday.

He said it would cover forms of interactive gambling not at present offered by existing providers.

The ACT Government has issued Internet gaming licences to ACTTAB, based in Canberra, and national company Tattersalls.

A month ago, the Federal Government asked the states to join a moratorium on new interactive gambling services but only New South Wales and Western Australia agreed.

"Consequently today, the Commonwealth has advised all states and territories of its intention to examine legislation for a 12-month moratorium on the introduction of new interactive gambling services and operatives as from today," Mr McGauran told reporters yesterday.

Although the states issued gaming licences and received revenue from it, the Commonwealth had constitutional powers over the Internet, including online gambling, he said.

The ACT Government yesterday defied the government's call for a moratorium by issuing two $200,000 Internet gambling licences to ACTTAB and Tattersalls. Those licences would be caught in the net of the government's new legislation if it was passed.

Mr McGauran said he would be surprised if the Democrats did not back it.

He said the community favored tougher regulation of gambling and did not want a "virtual casino in every lounge room".

"This is a social issue that the Commonwealth will take a lead on," he said.

The Federal Government intends investigating a permanent ban during the moratorium.

AAP

[Fred]

Man i hope you're right Hartley. As an issue, I really support the growth of sports betting in Australia. I can sympathise with people not wanting problem gamblers having access to online casinos but more than that, i fear governments who want to protect us from ourselves.

i've met people who bet poker machines to make money - "the jackpot's just around the corner". This is genuinely tragic. Poker machines are definately the main problem. Annual pokie turnover was around 90 billion compared to a rapidly growing, but much smaller, sportsbetting turnover of around 400 million in Australia.

If all the clubs so dependant on pokies became sportsbooks and all the people who play pokies became Bettorsworld educated sportsbettors, Australlia's gambling situation would become MUCH better!

Here's looking forward to more of your reports Hartley.

[AussieVamp2]

yeah, I have no problem at all banning online casinos - although then you lose the tax dollars, same with poker machines. They are the true evil - especially for people too dumb to realise they can't win.

[reno]

The job of the government should not be to protect people from themselves; it should be to protect people from crimes by others. If someone wants to commit suicide, do drugs, or blow their money on Internet poker, that should be their choice. Government is the terrible, moralistic, and controlling Parent that we can never escape.

[Hartley]

Reno you wrote:

>>Government is the terrible, moralistic, and controlling Parent that we can never escape.<<

So I see you know my mother huh?

As for my reports there will be a slight change this week. I was going to write about Antigua's take on the Jay Cohen case but I'm still waiting for a little more info. from Antiguan officials.

I'll do a writeup on the Mohawk reserve south of Montreal instead. It's actually an interesting development.