Liberalization of Online Gaming in Australia

The current Australian government has been issued with a comprehensive report into the online gambling sector which calls for the lifting of the Interactive Gaming Act. This new legislation would provide Australian gamblers increasing protection and range in online providers through a larger range of providers and options.  Both online poker and pokies online would be allowed to be offered by Australian providers under strict guidelines.

The interim report recommends the number of sports betting options be increased along with the legalization of online poker tournaments.  On top of this the report proposes linking online gaming laws to match-fixing laws and to appoint the Australian Communications and Media Authority to regulate online gambling.  Another recommendation is for this body to introduce harm-prevention measures, including safeguards for problem gamblers along with self harm minimization methods.  This would allow Australian’s a safe but flexible gaming environment with more local choice in providers.

Australia’s current stance when it comes to online gambling is flawed and confusing. It is certainly not spelled out as illegal for Australian citizens to play pokies online, however it is unlawful for Australian companies to provide online gambling activities.   Therefore Australians turn to offshore overseas providers who provide a large range of pokies, poker and roulette with an estimated AU$790 million being spent at offshore gambling sites in 2008, which is growing rapidly.   Regulators in Australia understand it is impossible to stop people from having a spin on the pokies at overseas website so new regulations need to be implemented.

The interim report is a follow up to the government’s original independent advisory body which too endorsed increasing regulation of the online gambling in Australia. In 2009, the Productivity Commission encouraged the government to demolish the Interactive Gambling Act, which is confusing and unclear, therefore allowing the government to regulate and control the $1 billion of revenues spent on online pokie machines.

You can now play a huge range of free pokies online without downloading any software or loosing a cent.