The Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill (IGA) would make it illegal to provide interstate or offshore gambling services. It would also create new civil and criminal penalties for providing regulated interactive gambling services. However, the bill also makes an exception for ignorance. Under the proposed section 15AA, if the defendant was unaware of the link between Australian and offshore gambling services, they will be exempt from the penalty. The proposed legislation would also protect consumers in the areas of credit and deferred settlement.
The bill would change the definition of a foreign country, limit the powers of the ACMA, and give international regulators access to gambling data. This bill is likely to pass in the Senate, but Labor and crossbench senators remain unsure whether to support it. In addition, the government has not been forthcoming about its plans. However, the bill’s supporters are not denying its need to protect Australian consumers. The government should act now.
The bill will also restrict online sports betting and casino games. It is a welcome change for Australian citizens, but will it thwart unlicensed operators? Hopefully the government will consider it and make it law. In the meantime, poker players can continue playing online. And since the bill will prohibit offshore operators from operating in Australia, the Australian government will be able to enforce its new laws. The government has recommended that online poker companies be licensed, but it has not yet been done. However, in order to remain licensed, they must follow certain rules.
The IGA will be effective from the date of Royal Assent, with some sections coming into force immediately. All other provisions will take effect on the 28th day after Royal Assent. The Australian Parliament and the Federal Register of Legislation provide links to the Bill. Listed hyperlinks are correct as of November 2016.
The IGA was designed to eliminate regulatory loopholes and prevent unlicensed operators from providing their services in Australia. As such, it makes the provision of online casino games in Australia illegal. The Australian government passed the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill on March 9 and the Senate approved the legislation on August 9.
Despite the benefits of the IGA for licensed bookmakers and the Australian public, the bill does not go far enough to protect the poker community. As a result, a number of operators pulled out of Australia before the legislation could become law. Poker players Daniel Laidlaw and Oliver Gill, as well as James Devine, made their statements in support of a regulated online poker industry. Hopefully, the law will lead to further progress in this area.
The NCPF has several provisions. The first part of the legislation involves creating a national self-exclusion registry. The National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF) outlines 10 essential elements for protecting the naive public from online wagering. These provisions will be implemented slowly over the next 18 months. The NCPF also provides a number of other important benefits for consumers. There will be a significant effect on the gambling industry.