Fed: Push to regulate online gambling

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2000
Fed: Push to regulate online gambling

By Linda McSweeny

CANBERRA, April 18 AAP - States and territories are expected to lobby for national
Internet gambling regulations when they meet the federal government to map the future
of the industry for the first time tomorrow.

Federal Family and Community Services Minister Jocelyn Newman will chair the first
meeting of gaming ministers since the release of a Senate report about online gambling
last month.

The report recommended a moratorium on new Internet casino licences but stopped short
of urging a total ban.

It called for tougher consumer protection measures and urged federal, state and territory
governments to work together to restrict the industry's growth.

Prime Minister John Howard directed the ministerial meeting after a Productivity Commission
report found that more than 80 per cent of Australians gambled each year, wagering a total
of $11 billion a year.

Senator Newman's office said Internet gambling was the main item on the agenda at the
meeting, and that the government had always said it would consider the Senate's call for
a moratorium.

"We are hoping to engage the states in a constructive means to look at this growing
problem of gambling which they have substantial responsibility for," Senator Newman's
spokesman said.

"We would expect a certain amount of strategic positioning on the part of the states
and territories before this important event."

The ACT said it would oppose any move to try to stop Internet gambling at the meeting,
urging states to agree on regulations.

"The outcome we would like to achieve is a united and consensual approach to the regulation
of gambling," a spokeswoman for ACT Deputy Chief Minister, Gary Humphries, said.

Northern Territory Gaming Minister Tim Baldwin said the meeting would enable him to
demonstrate the territory's strong regulatory framework governing all forms of wagering
and gaming.

"I know Internet gaming is an issue at the summit; therefore, I look forward to hearing
how the states are dealing with their own regulation which will govern online gaming,"

he added.

Victoria's Gaming Minister John Pandazopoulos will hold out his hand to Senator Newman
for more money, saying the federal government should help reduce the states' dependence
on gaming revenue.

"We don't want to be reliant upon gaming revenues at the expense of the community,"

Mr Pandazopoulos said.

Mr Pandazopoulos said reduced federal funds for health, roads and legal aid, and an
expected delay in the GST dividend meant the state was forced to rely on gaming revenue.

Western Australia, which is the state least affected by problem gambling, had no plans
to introduce any Internet gambling licences, the state said.

There is currently a private member's bill before the South Australian parliament,
introduced by independent Rory McEwen, to cap the number of pokies at their present level.

Premier John Olsen and opposition leader Mike Rann have both announced their support,
but that it will be a conscience vote.

Mr Howard singled out online gambling in December last year after the Productivity
Commission report found about 290,000 problem gamblers in Australia accounted for $3.5
billion of total spending, or one third of gambling revenue.

He said he was particularly concerned about Internet gambling after hearing that 1.5
million people were directly affected by problem gambling which could lead to bankruptcy,
family breakdown and suicide.

AAP lm/mfh/hu/bwl

KEYWORD: GAMBLING NIGHTLEAD

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