Australian Government Refuses to Lift Online Gambling Ban

The policy advisory board of Australia has recommended that the country lifts the eight-year ban on online gambling but the government of the country has refused to change its current stance on the matter.

In 2001, Australia repealed the Interactive Gambling Act which was recommended by the Productivity Commission and it would have allowed operators to offer poker and casino games to Australian residents. The Act has been out there ever since but the government continues to reject it.

“We are not convinced that liberalizing online gaming would have benefits for the Australian community which would outweigh the risks of problem gambling,” said Communications Minister Stephen Conroy in a statement.

Conroy also explained that the Australian government would prefer to work with other nations in to form global regulations that would help the interest of the country and provide a global framework and set of regulations for online casino services providers.

The Australian Productivity Commission still believes that the Australian government should start regulating online gambling and they sent out a warning: : “The long-run consequence of prohibition may be higher problem gambling risks and a loss of commercial opportunities and tax revenue in Australia.”