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Online gambling ban likely to be extended
Tuesday 29 May 2001
The government's proposed ban on internet gambling offered by Australian companies would most likely be extended to all online gambling within the country, an Australian Democrats senator said today.
Such a move would probably attract interest from other Democrats, whose Senate support is crucial to the future of any such bill, Senator Lyn Allison said.
A moratorium on internet gambling is currently in place but the government wants to ban Australian companies altogether from taking bets from Australian punters, although sports and race betting may be spared after negotiations with the Democrats.
Senator Allison said it was likely the ban would be extended to encompass all online gambling.
"In fact, we'll be moving amendments to ensure that Australian companies that offer internet gambling overseas would be caught up in this bill," she told ABC radio.
She said her colleague Senator John Woodley would vote similarly and other Democrat senators were reviewing their situation.
Senator Allison said Kerry Packer's Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd could have difficulty in its reported plan to operate in Vanuatu and bring profits back to Australia.
"If an organisation operates completely offshore, and if all their decisionmaking is made overseas, then it would be possible, including the investment and the revenue to come back to Australia," she said.
"But if there was any decisionmaking in Australia then it would be deemed to be an Australian company."
Tuesday 29 May 2001
The government's proposed ban on internet gambling offered by Australian companies would most likely be extended to all online gambling within the country, an Australian Democrats senator said today.
Such a move would probably attract interest from other Democrats, whose Senate support is crucial to the future of any such bill, Senator Lyn Allison said.
A moratorium on internet gambling is currently in place but the government wants to ban Australian companies altogether from taking bets from Australian punters, although sports and race betting may be spared after negotiations with the Democrats.
Senator Allison said it was likely the ban would be extended to encompass all online gambling.
"In fact, we'll be moving amendments to ensure that Australian companies that offer internet gambling overseas would be caught up in this bill," she told ABC radio.
She said her colleague Senator John Woodley would vote similarly and other Democrat senators were reviewing their situation.
Senator Allison said Kerry Packer's Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd could have difficulty in its reported plan to operate in Vanuatu and bring profits back to Australia.
"If an organisation operates completely offshore, and if all their decisionmaking is made overseas, then it would be possible, including the investment and the revenue to come back to Australia," she said.
"But if there was any decisionmaking in Australia then it would be deemed to be an Australian company."