Australian federal gambling bill hit with delays
Legislation to ban online poker and in-play failed to pass Parliament before last week's close of session
Australia’s new federal gambling bill could be delayed until July after it failed to pass the House of Representatives on Friday before the latest session of Parliament had concluded.
The next session of the Australian Parliament starts 9 May but the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 is unlikely to be heard for weeks after that date due to Federal Budget discussions.
The legislation – which clarifies the ban on online poker and in-play betting – needs to be ratified for a second time by the lower House after an amended version was recently sent back to the chamber by the Senate.
And according to Sydney-based gaming lawyer Jamie Nettleton, the earliest the bill can now “become law is June – more likely July.”
A source familiar with the matter also recently told EGR Intel that the Federal Government is now seeking to hold further discussions with state/territory governments about the amended bill.
A number of operators, including PokerStars and 888, have announced their withdrawal from the Australian online gambling market in recent months in response to the new legislation.
32Red also informed affiliates this weekend it will today stop accepting new players from Australia – a decision EGR Intel understands was made to fulfil requirements set out in its impending deal with Kindred Group.
The Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 was sent back to the House of Representatives last month following the addition of a new amendment to prohibit the use of credit betting.
The amendment was introduced by anti-gambling senator, Nick Xenophon, and in its current form will hit both on-course and online bookmakers.
Read EGR Intel’s recent summary of the Australian regulatory landscape here.