Australians can no longer gamble with credit cards or digital currencies from today.
The ban takes full effect after a 6 month transition period, following an amendment to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which was passed in Parliament late last year.
"Australians should not be gambling with money they do not have," said Minister for Communications the Hon Michelle Rowland.
"This ban builds on the significant progress to minimise gambling harm that the Albanese Government has made over the past two years, which is already benefitting thousands of vulnerable Australians." pic.twitter.com/iBS4yQOhuE
This feels a bit icky - it’s bad enough that Gil oversaw the game at a time when betting became almost ubiquitous with the sport and did little to reduce the link, but to be the second former CEO in succession to move on to executive roles in gambling really makes you wonder…
The Labor Government has been urged to outlaw strategic inducements, such as bonus bets and cashback offers, that are said to be luring Australians into gambling problems.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform has blamed weak advertising and consumer protection laws for these kinds of promotions that it claims are designed to make customers believe they are placing a “safer bet” that is more likely to win—or inconsequential should they lose. A paper released by the alliance warned that these supposed “risk free” enticements are “cynically targeting people with gambling problems through tailored, personalised marketing”.
The paper claimed that these kinds of reward bets are “often only able to be redeemed in a way that encourages further betting, and are subject to various terms and conditions, which tend to be difficult to find and understand for the average consumer”.
The Victorian Government announced today that pokies areas in pub and clubs across the state must close between 4am and 10am daily, from August 30, in order to reduce gambling harm.
Brisbane’s Treasury Casino will close for the final time this Sunday at midnight, ahead of the opening of the new Star Casino next Thursday (August 29) as part of Queen’s Wharf stage one. The Treasury Hotel will stay open.
gaming will cease at 11pm however, based off the email i got as a member (reproduced below)
Hi XXXX,
Please join us on Sunday 25 August 2024 for Treasury Brisbane’s final day, as we say farewell and reflect upon the fond memories created over the last 29 years, with casino gaming operations to close at 11.00pm.
Treasury Car Park Closure:
From Thursday 29 August 2024, Treasury Brisbane’s car park will no longer be a benefit of The Star Club. Members will not receive or be able to earn, free of charge parking. Your Membership benefits will be transferred, including any parking benefits you have received previously, to The Star Brisbane.
Treasury Casino will close for the last time on Sunday, making way for the new Star casino at Queens Wharf. In Flashback, a look back at how the heritage listed building transformed into Brisbane’s first home for legal gambling.
Young Australians embrace national online gambling self-exclusion register
More than 28,000 Australians have made the decision to self-exclude from all licensed online and phone wagering services since BetStop – The National Self-Exclusion Register was launched by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in August 2023.
The register allows people to self-exclude for a minimum of three months up to a lifetime and of the 28,000 registrants who to date have chosen to self-exclude:
Almost half were aged 30 and under, and around 80 per cent were aged 40 and under.
Around 40 per cent have decided to self-exclude for life.
Fewer than 20 per cent of registrants chose the minimum period of three months.
More than 14 per cent have already extended or reactivated their self-exclusion period.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said that the register’s first year of operation has shown that Australians want help in managing their gambling behaviour.
“Online gambling can cause a great deal of harm to individuals, their families and friends, so it’s encouraging that so many people have decided to take the step and register to self-exclude.
‘Younger Australians in particular are making early decisions about the role that online gambling will play in their lives.
“Many people are also choosing to nominate someone to support them. Stopping online gambling can be a difficult decision to make – having someone to support you can make the decision much easier.
“And many people are committing to long-term change, with a high percentage of people choosing to exclude for life,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
Australians can register to self-exclude from online and phone wagering at www.betstop.gov.au. All you need is access to your phone, your email address and an identity document such as a driver’s licence, Medicare card or passport.
Registering is quick and easy – with most people able to register in less than 5 minutes.
Additional details about the first year of BetStop – the Self-Exclusion Register are available in this fact sheet. More information about the ACMA’s work in online gambling harm minimisation is available on our website, including how to protect yourself from illegal gambling operators and instructions on how to make a complaint about an illegal site.
If you or someone you know is affected by gambling and needs help, call the national gambling helpline on 1800 858 858 or visit Gambling Help Online.
Tabcorp yesterday delivered its first full-year results under new boss, former AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan. It reported a massive $1.4 billion loss, its bottom line hit by a $1.38 billion write-down of the company’s South Australian and NSW assets.
The Star’s Sydney licence remains suspended after a first inquiry found damning evidence of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism failings, although it has been allowed to keep the casino operating with a regulator-appointed manager.
But in a report made public on Friday, the second Adam Bell-led inquiry declared the period since the last findings in 2022 had been “marked by lost opportunities and missteps”, including four significant compliance breaches.
They included a $3.2m fraud that allowed Star clients to claim funds they had not won through a software glitch in “ticket in, cash out” machines for a period of six weeks.
