SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot (Liberal Coalition), has personally tasked Social Services Minister Scott Morrison with leading a review of the 2001 Interactive Gambling Act (IGA).
The review follows ongoing federal probes into international licensed online bookmaker’s use of ‘call’ systems which mirror live betting, prohibited by the 2001 IGA.
Various ministers and gambling stakeholders have stated that the 2001 IGA has become redundant by the technology advancements of the online e gambling industry, calling for a full scale review of policy and regulations in order to safeguard national consumers.
The Abbott Government, are reported to have asked for an in-depth review of technology developments on Australia’s current gambling framework. At present it is unknown whether Morrison will consult operators working within the Australian igaming and sports betting markets.
Australian news sources have reported that the review, will likely introduce a nationwide self-exclusion register, mirroring UK laws and gambling addiction monitoring. The review will further examine the marketing and advertising of online gambling services to the Australian consumer, with excessive sports betting advertising have been criticised by sporting bodies, anti gambling campaigners and ministers.
On Tuesday William Hill announced that it would stand by it controversial “Click to Call” betting system, stating that it believed that the feature was an extension of phone betting mechanics allowed by Australian gambling laws.
