Australian officials have approved the introduction of a new national problem gambling framework as part of an ongoing clampdown on online gambling, local media has reported. The new regulations are expected to be enforced as soon as possible and state governments will be required to make sure their policies comply with the new order.
There have been 11 measures agreed on, one of those banning online gambling operators from offering different sign-up incentives to lure customers. Lines of credit will also become unavailable once the new regime comes into force.
Gambling customers will be able to join an online gambling self-exclusion register for a period of their choice, but no less than three months long. Thus, people with serious indications of problem gambling could be able to spare themselves from more troubles that accompany this type of behavior.
Australian lawmakers from the state and federal governments will be required to jointly monitor and research problem gambling issues affecting country residents. Work on an effective research model is expected to begin from July 1 onwards.
Australian Minister for Human Services Alan Tudge was among the key MPs behind the new problem gambling regulatory framework. The official told media that he was glad with what they had achieved, calling the regulatory project a significant milestone.
Tackling problem gambling issues was considered the first step toward the regulation of Australia’s iGaming market, as revealed by politicians late last year. Here it is important to note that Minister Tudge was also among the people behind the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016, presented to the Australian government in late 2016. The piece was crafted after the results from the Review of the Impact of Illegal Offshore Wagering were made known. The Review was led by former New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell and was referred to Minister Tudge in December 2015.
In March, the bill gained the necessary support from the country’s top officials, despite significant lobbyism against its coming into force. There are still important legislative matters to be taken care of before it is signed into law, but it seems that the Bill turning into law is an imminent event.
Generally speaking, the Amendment Bill revises a legislative piece from the early 2000s, providing clearer definitions of what is legal and what is not in terms of gambling. The legislation basically makes it illegal for offshore gambling operators to provide local players with online casino and poker products.
It was explained that the measure had come in a bid for the Australian government to block the unlicensed and unregulated proliferation of gambling services in a country where gambling spending and problem online gambling rates are very high.
A chart, recently published by The Economist, named Australians “the world’s biggest gamblers”, with reported gambling losses per resident adult of $990 for 2016.
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