Australia closes in-play wagering and online gaming loopholes

The Australian Senate has voted to close down remaining loopholes on in-play betting and online poker after approving a series of amendments to the country’s existing gambling legislation.

The upper house today voted in favour of passing the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016, which included an amendment to clamp down on products designed to negate the country’s ban on online in-play.

Australian betting operators were already prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 from accepting online bets on live sports events, limited to accepting in-play wagers placed in person or over the phone.

In response to the ban, a number of firms launched so-called click-to-call products, enabling customers to place bets online so long as the device’s microphone was switched on.

The new legislation, which will now go back to the House of Representatives, aims to close such loopholes, as well banning all online-gambling activity not specifically authorised within Australian law, i.e. poker and casino products.

In January, 888 revealed it had pulled its poker product from the Australian market in preparation for a crackdown on non-sports betting operators, while Vera&John ceased operating the previous month.

PokerStars also previously announced it would withdraw from Australia if the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 was passed by the Senate.

A PokerStars spokesperson today confirmed to EGR Intel the operator was now preparing to withdraw its real-money poker platform from the Australian market following the vote.

“Should it pass, Australian players will be able to continue to log in or play until we withdraw – and we will give clear guidance direct to our players on when that will happen. Our players remain a priority and their funds will, as always, remain secure and accessible for withdrawal,” the spokesperson said.

“We have serviced the Australian poker community for many years, and although it will come as scant consolation for some real money players living there, should the bill pass we will continue to offer free to play products within the jurisdiction.”

The egaming industry has fought against the bill which was introduced to Parliament in response to a report on the growth of illegal offshore operators, spearheaded by the former premier of New South Wales Barry O’Farrell.

The legislation was also opposed by Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonhjelm, who attempted to introduce an online poker carve-out to the legislation.

“It [the bill] is paternalistic, nanny state legislation based on the assumption that prohibition is an effective regulatory response to something which the government disapproves,” he said in the Senate yesterday.

Hear his full speech below: