RSS: Casino News Feeds

Report Says Aussies Better Served by Removing Online Casino Ban

Australia's online casino ban should be dropped and regulation placed on the Internet gambling industry, says a government report.

The Australian Federal Productivity Commission released the results of its study on gambling and its impact on the country this week, and among the recommendations is the suggestion to remove the national online casino ban. The commission notes that not only is the ban beset by questionable legality, but it is ineffective and leaves consumers unprotected.

According to commission figures, Internet gambling represents 4 percent of the national gaming market even while banned, and that number is rising. The report says it is unacceptable to leave citizens in danger of an unregulated international industry, making it imperative to license online casinos.

In order to guard children and problem gamblers, as well as prevent fraud and money laundering, the commission says Australia must give up on the failed ban and establish regulations upon the online gambling industry.

Further, the report says removing the ban is also economically advisable, as protectionist policies continue market inefficiencies and draw lawsuits by legitimate foreign operators who suffer discriminatory policies.

"In its unregulated form, online gaming is available 24 hours a day, allows credit betting, has no intrinsic restrictions on bet size," states the report. "The commission recommends that the Australian government allow online gaming subject to a strict regime of consumer protection."

Published on October 21, 2009 by A.J.Maldonado

Help Spread the News

Email This Article to a Friend Digg this Article Bookmark this Article with Delicious Send this Article to Reddit Share this Article on Facebook Send this Article to Newsvine

Recent Comments

Posted by: bingo developerWhen: 05/26/2010 11:54:24 PM EST
Regulating the gaming industry will protect each players from fraud and scams and it will also benefit the govt from the revenues it get.
Posted by: scuterWhen: 05/27/2010 08:21:45 AM EST
I'm not sure we should give up on Prohibition yet. Sure, it's flawed in every possible way, has no logical merit, handballs the industry to crooks, and has failed every time it has been trialled throughout history...

...but let's stick with it.

It's gotta come good sooner or later!