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The Albanese Labor Government will introduce legislation in Parliament that will better protect Australians who are at risk of harm from online gambling. This includes a ban on the use of credit cards and fines up to $234.750 for those companies who do not enforce this law.
The Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill (Credit and Other Measures), 2023, will attempt to ban the usage of credit cards and other credit-related products, as well digital currencies used for online betting.
The bill continues the government’s priority to protect Australians vulnerable to online gambling harms. It will also give the Minister of Communications the power to “future-proof” the legislation by prohibiting additional credit products when they are introduced.
The bill implements the recommendations of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services Inquiry (PJC Inquiry), which will be held in November 2021.
The Bill will increase the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s powers in order to ensure effective enforcement of civil penalties under the Act. The new provisions could result in penalties of up to $234.750 for violations.
The industry and consumers have a six-month transition period after the Royal Assent date to adjust their betting and business behaviours.
Since Labor became the government, it has prioritized work to reduce harm caused by online gaming. This includes implementing final measures under National Consumer Protection Framework.
The National Self-Exclusion Register and the National Self-Exclusion Register are among the measures that will be implemented.
The Government will also implement mandatory pre-verification of customers, which requires wagering service providers verify the customer’s identification when they register for new accounts and before they place a bet. The requirement should be implemented by the end this month.
The Government carefully considers the recommendations from a parliamentary investigation into online gambling in order to inform future actions to address the harms caused by online gaming.
Before the end of this year, a meeting of all state, territory and Commonwealth Ministers who are responsible for online betting will take place.
Michelle Rowland, MP, Minister of Communications:
It’s simple: People shouldn’t bet with money that they don’t have.
The Australian Government is committed to protecting Australians against gambling harms.
Legislating an outright ban on credit card gambling online will protect Australians who are vulnerable and their families.
I would like to thank all the stakeholders who have contributed to this Bill, including the harm reduction advocates, betting and lottery providers and banking payment organizations.
Amanda Rishworth, Minister of Social Services and the Hon Amanda Rishworth M.P.
“Since we became the government, we have prioritised the harm caused by gambling online. I am pleased that we are now taking the next step and introducing legislation to ban credit cards.
The same rules should be applied to online gambling.
“We are serious about protecting Australians who are vulnerable from the harm that we know online gambling can bring. The new rules are aimed at punishing any platform that violates them.
“We know that minimising the harm from online gambling isn’t a one-time exercise. I look forward working with my counterparts in state and territories on what to do next to continue to make this positive change.”
