Australia Toughens Rules On Online Gambling

Following legislation to ban offshore online poker sites from offering games to Aussies, the Australian government has agreed to sweeping reforms to combat problem gambling on domestic sports betting platforms.

The Australian reported that federal, state and territory ministers will prohibit online betting companies from offering credit to gamblers and also require them to offer self-exclusion programs. There are 11 new measures altogether in the reform agreement.

The initiative is called the National Consumer Protection Framework.

A 2015 study of illegal online gambling happening in the country recommended closing “loopholes” that allowed Aussies to play on offshore poker platforms. The problem gambling reforms also stem from that review.

The moves come at a time when online gambling in Australia is growing at 15 percent year-over-year. The government is also looking at implementing blocks on internet service providers to combat offshore gambling sites.

888Poker left the market in January, while PokerStars said it might follow suit.

“While Amaya currently offers poker to Australian customers through PokerStars under its Isle of Man global gaming license, if proposed legislation passes into law players located in Australia would likely be blocked from playing on our sites,” the company said earlier this year.

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