It is unlikely that there would be a major exodus to offshore providers to avoid these minor inconveniences. Interactive gambling services such as online casinos, online slot machines and online wagering services that accept ‘in-play’ betting on sports events are prohibited by the Australian Government. ACMA is the government body responsible for the regulation of online industries in Australia. The Tasmanian Liberal Party’s new gambling policy would increase taxes for pubs and clubs by around $10 million per year, while cutting taxes for the state’s casinos by $9 million per year, if the gambling industry’s proposed benchmark is used. Taxpayers would also contribute an extra $1.7 million to counter the costs of problem gambling.

The history of advertising regulation suggests that Australian sport and broadcasters will adapt (see Box 8). After decades of failed attempts, some state governments, notably Tasmania, are finally taking action on pokies. A phased uptown pokies $50 no deposit bonus approach would give sporting bodies and broadcasters time to find replacement revenue.191 Despite alarmist claims, this would not be a fatal blow to either (Chapter 4). Gambling is big business, and the industry has repeatedly used its political power to thwart efforts to better protect the public. Gambling companies and peak bodies apply pressure to our politicians through every avenue to protect their profits.

Interactive gambling (including internet-based gambling) is regulated under both Australian and Queensland law. Interactive gambling licensing is regulated in Queensland by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR). If you work in the gaming industry in Victoria, you may need a Gaming Industry Employee (GIE) licence. No longer listed on the ASX, its financial performance is difficult to gauge but if it had hopes of a quick turnaround and easy profit, they may have been dashed. It since has been selling neighbouring properties in Southbank, bought by Crown when James Packer was still running the outfit.

• A phased approach would give sporting bodies and broadcasters time to find replacement revenue.191 Despite alarmist claims, this would not be a fatal blow to either (Chapter 4).
• And they are particularly prevalent in NSW, which has almost as many pokies as the rest of Australia combined.
• The industry has a track record of thwarting reforms, including by stoking community fears about unintended consequences.
• We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and pay respect to Aboriginal Elders past, present and emerging.
• Past reform efforts have been killed by highly organised, well-funded industry campaigns.

Licence

But people still cannot consistently self-exclude from all forms of gambling. There is a risk that some people in the grip of gambling addiction seek out unlicensed websites in a deliberate attempt to circumvent loss limits. But, under current regulations, legal websites are not much safer than illegal ones for heavy gamblers. Many legal gambling operators do not have effective safeguards in place to prevent harm (Chapter 2). Our proposed reforms do not curtail the availability of legal gambling websites. Setting a pre-commitment limit will add only a small friction to the sign-up process, and most people’s spending already falls under our proposed maximum limits.

Australia should introduce a gambling warning label,201 so that people know when a game contains gambling-like features. This would help gamers of all ages avoid exposure to gambling if they wish, and it may be particularly helpful for parents to reduce their children’s incidental exposure to gambling. Many video games include gambling-like features that familiarise children with gambling and can be a gateway to other gambling. Loot boxes, in particular, are a common gambling-like feature in electronic games and have been linked to gambling problems (see Box 4). The proliferation of pokies is a problem that state governments should chip away at over time, at the very least to avoid making things worse.

All gambling providers should familiarise themselves with the contents of these codes and advise and instruct all relevant gaming staff. Please share how gambling advertisements have affected your community and why the government must act now to protect Australians from their harm. Policy makers should be guided by data in choosing the regulated upper limits, and be prepared to withstand industry attempts to loosen the seatbelt by lobbying for higher limits. But estimates of their community benefits are highly inflated, and their most valuable contributions don’t rely on pokies profits. Providers should also give warning messages to customers as their limit approaches, so it doesn’t come as a shock.

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In the meantime, governments should improve support services to help those suffering harm now. Gambling normalisation starts young, and sports betting advertising is a major culprit. The federal government should ban all gambling advertising, sponsorships, and inducements.

This table provides a time series of total gambling turnover by state and territory. This table provides a time series of total gambling expenditure by state and territory. Only an eligible association can conduct charitable and non-profit games online, for profit. One of the primary objectives of the CNPG Act is to prevent individuals from obtaining a personal gain from the conduct of games such as raffles.