The pros and cons of gambling would be delved into as the discourse progresses from discussing the gambling policy in Australia, the underlying motivational factors for its proliferation, gambling’s implications and alternative options open to the government in lieu of gambling, per se. Conclusions Gambling in Australia provides a curious paradox. Highly liberalized State government policies that allow the proliferation of high intensity gambling coexist with extensive policy, regulation and research designed to address the negative impact of gambling on the Australian community. Since the Parliament mainly stayed out of iGaming legislation, issuing this bill was a significant change in gambling policy for Australia altogether. Online Casinos for Australian Players. The development of online gambling has substantial implications for community welfare, revenue collection, and regulatory mechanism, overall.
These divisions relate to the policy “for increasing restrictions on gambling”.Compare how a supporter of the policy would have voted to the division outcome.
The majority voted against a motion introduced by SA Senator Stirling Griff (Centre Alliance), which means it failed.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) this month marks the 25th anniversary since the introduction of poker machines in pubs and clubs in South Australia,
(ii) despite numerous recommendations by the Commonwealth Productivity Commission (PC) and other inquiries, there has been no meaningful poker machine reform in terms of harm minimisation,
(iii) according to the PC's 2010 report into gambling, 15% of regular poker machine players are so-called 'problem gamblers' with approximately 40-60% of spending on poker machines coming from 'problem gamblers',
(iv) the PC's 2010 report highlighted the significant social cost of gambling–estimated at that time to be at least $4 billion,
(v) despite having only 0.3% of the world's population, Australia reportedly has 6% of the world's conventional gaming machines and 18% of its poker machines, and
(vi) Australians lose approximately $24 billion per year on gambling, a figure which is more than any other nation; and
(b) calls on the Federal Government to:
(i) recognise the ongoing harm gambling causes, which varies from emotional to financial costs, and commit to meaningful harm minimisation, and
(ii) instruct the Commonwealth Productivity Commission to conduct a new inquiry to provide an updated perspective on gambling and propose relevant recommendations.
The majority voted against a motion introduced by Qld Senator Larissa Waters, which means it failed.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) the gambling industry donated almost $3 million dollars to the Liberal, Labor and Australian Conservatives political parties in 2017-18,
(ii) these donations came from sports betting companies, casinos and poker machine operators,
(iii) the Australian Hotels Association was the second largest political donor in the country for the 2017-18 year, with declared political gifts leaping from $153,000 in 2016-17 to $1.1 million last financial year,
(iv) Australia has the world's worst per-capita gambling losses of $1,000 a head,
(v) there are at least 115,000 Australians at the moment who are directly and seriously harmed by gambling, and another 280,000 experiencing significant risk,
(vi) for every person directly harmed by gambling, between 5 and 10 friends, family and others, including employers, are also affected – this means that up to 5 million Australians could be negatively affected,
(vii) online wagering is the fastest growing gambling segment, with over $1.4 billion gambled online each year,
(viii) pokies cause the most harm, with three out of four people being harmed by gambling, principally using poker machines, and
(ix) enormous donations from the gambling lobby to the major political parties has resulted in consecutive Australian governments failing to support harm-minimisation reforms that would help protect people from predatory gambling; and
(b) calls on the Federal Government to:
(i) ban corporate donations from the gambling industry,
(ii) introduce evidence-based harm-minimisation and product safety measures to reduce the development of problem gambling, and to assist gamblers to limit their expenditure,
(iii) phase out poker machines, and, in the meantime, implement $1 maximum bets per spin, $20 machine load-up limits, and $500 jackpot limits, and mandatory pre-commitment for pokies and sports betting, and
(iv) ban sports betting advertisements during the broadcast of sporting events and children's viewing times.
The majority voted against the amendments moved by Nick Xenophon Senator Stirling Griff, which means they failed.
Senator Griff explained that his amendments:
'These amendments fit within the regulatory framework proposed by the government in the bill and have the effect of a prohibition on all gambling ads during the hours of 5 am to 8.30 pm during G-rated programs and any live sporting events across platforms, regardless of whether the event is live or not. In instances where a sporting event has started but not finished before 8.30 pm, the NXT amendments will also extend the prohibition of gambling ads to 30 minutes after the conclusion of the sporting event.'
The bill was introduced to:
The majority voted in favour of an amendment to the usual second reading motion ('That this bill be read a second time').
Reading a bill for a second time is parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill.
At the end of the motion, add:
', but the Senate is of the opinion that the Government should legislate to prohibit betting on the outcome of a lottery.'
The bill was introduced to:
The majority voted against this motion, which means it failed.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) Australia is home to 0.3 per cent of the world's population, but 18 per cent of the world's poker machines,
(ii) Australians lose more money to poker machines than anywhere else in the world per capita,
(iii) most countries around the world, 226 out of 238, have no poker machines in pubs and clubs,
(iv) a 2010 study by the Productivity Commission found that problem gamblers account for 40 per cent of losses on poker machines,
(v) suicide rates among problem gamblers are twice the rate of other addictions, and
(vi) problem gamblers are far more vulnerable to depression, relationships breakdown, job loss, lowered work productivity, bankruptcy and crime;
(b) acknowledges that:
(i) poker machines have caused a significant degree of social and economic dislocation in the community, and
(ii) the regulation of poker machines is a litmus test of good government; and
(c) calls on the Government to support states in phasing out poker machines in pubs, because the fewer poker machines, the better.
The majority voted against a motion introduced by Nick Xenophon Team Skye Kakoschke-Moore that called for 'the Government to develop and apply the National Consumer Protection Framework to land-based betting, as well as online gambling', which means the motion failed.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) the National Consumer Protection Framework, in relation to interactive gambling, is currently being developed,
(ii) Commonwealth, state and territory gambling ministers are meeting regarding the Framework on 31 March 2017,
(iii) the Framework is being developed as a response to the O'Farrell Review and that gaming ministers are aiming to develop a better harm–minimisation strategy around online services,
(iv) currently, harm–minimisation strategies are a matter for states and territories, despite the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) (IGA) regulating electronic gambling,
(v) there is no national gambling regulator and the Nick Xenophon Team's amendment to the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016, to establish a national regulator, was rejected by the Government,
(vi) the Framework will not apply to land-based betting,
(vii) land-based betting includes electronic betting terminals (EBTs) which are permitted under the IGA but harm–minimisation strategies are regulated by states and territories,
(viii) statistics show at least 400,000 Australians either have a significant gambling addiction or are showing signs of developing a problem – the Productivity Commission has also stated that every problem gambler impacts on average on seven other people, and
(ix) the harm caused by gambling, such as financial hardship, relationship breakdown and emotional harm is the same, regardless of what form of gambling the harm arises from; and
(b) calls on the Government to develop and apply the National Consumer Protection Framework to land-based betting, as well as online gambling.
The majority voted against a motion, which means it was unsuccessful.
It was introduced by Labor MP Julie Collins (Franklin)
That all the words after 'That' be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
'whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House calls on the Government to work with the broadcasting industry and national sporting organisations on a transition plan to phase out the promotion of betting odds and commercials relating to betting or gambling before and during live sporting broadcasts, with a view to their prohibition'.
The majority voted against a motion, which means it was unsuccessful.
The motion was introduced by Nick Xenophon Team Senator Stirling Griff. It asked for gambling advertising to be banned during children's viewing times and to be reduced on SBS.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) more than $800 million was lost by Australians on legal sports betting in the 2014-15 financial year, an increase of more than 30 per cent from 2013-14,
(ii) while some restrictions on gambling advertising exist, there is an exemption that allows gambling advertising during televised sporting events at children's viewing times,
(iii) research shows that children are especially susceptible to such advertising, and
(iv) there is a pressing need to ban gambling advertising particularly during children's viewing times;
(b) calls on the Government to amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to ban gambling advertising during sporting broadcasts during children's viewing times; and
(c) further notes community concern about the recent increased level of gambling advertising on the Special Broadcasting Service, and calls on the Minister for Communications to issue a directive under section 11 of the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 to limit the amount of such advertising.
The majority voted in favour of a motion that items 17 to 23 of schedule 2 'stand as printed', which means that they remain unchanged. These items relate to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and the discretion of the Australian Communications and Media Authority ('ACMA').
This motion was put in response to an amendment introduced by Independent Senator Nick Xenophon that those items should be opposed. Senator Xenophon explained that he was concerned that '[t]his omnibus bill, under the pretext of ensuring less red tape, will actually ... make it less likely that there will be an investigation into breaches of the Interactive Gambling Act by ACMA' (see Senator Xenophon' full explanation here).
Background to the bill
The bill was introduced to 'reduce regulatory burden for business, individuals and the community sector' (see the explanatory memorandum) and to repeal redundant provisions that are either duplications or have ceased to have effect. The provisions of the bill that make material changes have been identified and discussed in the bills digest.
The majority voted in favour of a motion that schedule 1 stand as printed.(The wording of schedule 1 is available here under the heading 'Text of bill'. ) In other words, the majority wanted the schedule to remain unchanged. The motion was put in response to a Green amendment to oppose that schedule.
Schedule 1: 'repeals the position and functions of the National Gambling Regulator, along with provisions relating to the supervisory and gaming machine regulation levies, the automatic teller machine withdrawal limit, dynamic warning messages on gaming machines, the trial of mandatory pre-commitment, and matters for Productivity Commission review'.(Read more about Schedule 1 in the revised explanatory memorandum. )
Because the majority wanted the schedule to remain unchanged, this Greens amendment was rejected.
Background to the bill
The bill was introduced to make a number of key changes. These include:
There are several other measures introduced by this bill that can be explored in its bills digest.
Most of the measures are savings measures that had been announced by the previous Labor Government in the 2013–14 Budget, the 2012–13 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) or the 2012–13 Budget. However, the gambling reform measures, the Cape York Welfare Reform measures and the changes to Paid Parental Leave arrangements(Read about the changes to Paid Parental Leave arrangements in the bills digest.) are newly proposed by the current Government.
The majority voted in favour of a motion that this bill, as amended, be agreed to. This means that the majority agree with the bill, as it has been amended, and that they can now decide on whether to pass the bill in the House of Representatives.(Read more about the stages that a bill must pass through here. )
Background to the bill
The National Gambling Reform Bill 2012 was introduced along with the National Gambling Reform (Related Matters) Bill (No. 1) 2012 and the National Gambling Reform (Related Matters) Bill (No. 2) 2012. Together, these bills relate to a national scheme for gaming machines in order to reduce the harms associated with gambling on these machines.
According to the bills digest, these bills introduce the following:
)
Precommitment involves a gambler setting a loss limit before they commence playing. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie made the introduction of mandatory precommitment a key part of his agreement to support the minority Gillard Labor Government after the 2010 election.(Read more about Mr Wilkie's commitment to introducing precommitment here. ) Although the Labor Government originally agreed to introduce mandatory precommitment, these bills limit the reforms to ensuring the EGMs have precommitment capability.(Read more about the change in the Labor Government's approach to gambling reform on ABC News here.) There will also be a mandatory precommitment trial, to test its feasibility.
The majority voted in favour of a motion that the bill be read for a second time. This means that the majority agree with the main idea of the bill and that the House can now discuss it in more detail.(Read more about the stages that a bill must pass through here. )
Background to the bill
The National Gambling Reform Bill 2012 was introduced along with the National Gambling Reform (Related Matters) Bill (No. 1) 2012 and the National Gambling Reform (Related Matters) Bill (No. 2) 2012. Together, these bills relate to a national scheme for gaming machines in order to reduce the harms associated with gambling on these machines.
According to the bills digest, these bills introduce the following:
)
Precommitment involves a gambler setting a loss limit before they commence playing. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie made the introduction of mandatory precommitment a key part of his agreement to support the minority Gillard Labor Government after the 2010 election.(Read more about Mr Wilkie's commitment to introducing precommitment here. ) Although the Labor Government originally agreed to introduce mandatory precommitment, these bills limit the reforms to ensuring the EGMs have precommitment capability.(Read more about the change in the Labor Government's approach to gambling reform on ABC News here.) There will also be a mandatory precommitment trial, to test its feasibility.
Senator Richard Di Natale, and also on behalf of Senator Xenophon, moved:
That there be laid on the table by 27 February 2012 by the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Senator Evans) any advice or documentation received by the Government regarding the cost of implementing $1 bet limits on poker machines, particularly in relation to the $1.5 billion figure referred to by the Minister in public comments.
Australia is a gambling nation. It is one of the most trafficked markets in the country through legal brick-and-mortar channels, but online gambling is a different story. This page is dedicated to explaining the full legal structure of gambling in Australia and has information on the standing laws, any amendments, the regulatory bodies in charge and more. You will learn about which gambling options are legal and which ones to avoid. Australia is a vast gambling community, but it is well regulated. Use this page as a legal resource for gambling options in Australia and our homepage as a resource for gambling laws by country.
Yes, but only certain forms of gambling. Australian gambling laws were quite lenient in the past, allowing for brick-and-mortar establishments and some online gambling options. The current legal gambling framework still permits brick-and-mortar gambling, but online options are scarce due to tighter restrictions. There are explanations of the laws below.
Interactive Gambling Act 2001 – The Interactive Gambling Act was Australian Parliament’s way of addressing online gambling. At the time, Aussies were able to access locally based sites for real money games. Offshore gambling sites were also an option. This law targeted domestic operators and made it illegal for them to offer services to residents. It also made it an illegal offense to advertise Australian online gambling products and services locally (including all forms of media). The law permitted domestically based online sites to offer services to ‘designated countries,’ but not local citizens. The only form of domestic online wagering allowed was sports betting through a local service. You can find more information on our Interactive Gambling Act 2001 page.
Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 – Australian gambling laws remained the same for more than a decade. It wasn’t until 2016 that changes were made. These changes came through the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016. The new IGA tightened restrictions on online gambling by banning almost all digital gambling forms, no matter if they are licenced offshore or not. The amendment also ceased all gambling advertisements during sporting events. Any online operator wishing to do business in Australia must obtain a licence through the proper regulatory channels. In-play betting was another target of this bill and made it illegal for local punters to participate in. Learn more about the specifics of this law on our Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 page.
Regional Laws – Gambling legislation is divvied up between individual states and provinces. These laws are similar in nature but have minute differences between them. As such, it is important to understand the different territorial legal codes pertaining to gambling based on where you reside in Australia. Our Australian Regional Laws page has more information on the individual laws.
Gambling regulation in Australia is twofold. There are some federal departments tasked with widespread regulation, but the bulk of responsibility lies with individual states and provinces. This site focuses on the federal end of regulation and covers:
There are multiple land-based gambling establishments that are considered legal in Australia. These include brick-and-mortar casinos which host slots, table games, poker (including pokies, or virtual poker machines) and more. Sports and race betting is considered legal in Australia, but only through properly licenced and regulated outlets. In fact, sports betting is the only form of online gambling legally permitted to be offered to Australian residents from domestically based sites. The largest online platform is known as TAB and hosts sports gambling and racing bets. There is no in-play betting allowed per the local gambling laws.
In Australia, the minimum gambling age is standard nationwide. To enter a casino in Australia, regardless of state, requires gamblers to meet the minimum age of eighteen. This fixed legal age applies to lottery ticket purchasing, sports betting and race betting, bingo, casino games, poker and all real money betting.
The reason why gambling laws are so stringent is that Australia has a high number of cases of problem gambling. Gambling addiction is taken very seriously in the country and there are multiple regulations in place to keep it in check. This is why in-play betting is considered illegal and not allowed via any licenced and regulated Australian betting outlet. The government made changes to protocols in the time leading up to the IGA 2016. These changes were meant to help problem bettors in the country. For example, there is a self-exclusion register for online bookmakers. This helps to keep problem gamblers from accessing sites. There is another option for bookmakers to establish a betting limit to help gamblers avoid getting into financial hardships. Some bookmakers used to be allowed to offer lines of credit, however, this practice has since been disallowed.
There may some further amendments to the IGA. If anything, these would strengthen the restrictions on licenced offshore gambling sites. As things stand now, individuals are not targeted for using offshore sites. Some sites’ IP addresses may be blocked, but there are others still accessible to Aussie punters. Perhaps new legislation would tighten reinforcements on individuals as opposed to just operators.
Since the gambling laws have gotten so restrictive, many online operators decided to leave the Australian market. For example, notable online poker sites like 888Poker left with the passing of the reformed IGA. The new laws create potential financial hardships and limit these operators’ access to a lucrative gambling pool, so it makes sense why they would leave. Some groups are lobbying for certain operators to be permitted, but the current framework makes it difficult for any licenced online gambling operator to have a legitimate chance in this market. As of now, there are no concrete plans to change the legislation.
Gambling Help Resources In Australia