Further to my other thread about the inquiry into online credit card transactions for gambling sites in Australia being rejected, here's more news. It seems that Australia may finally be waking up to the fact that it's impossible to control the internet, people will gamble online if they want to, and the government could earn millions in tax dollars by creating a safer, regulated system.
“An Australian domestic industry should be developed carefully with effective harm minimisation measures for online play as well as robust consumer protection measures,?Mr Wilkie said.
“In the model I support, if local providers were to be permitted to provide certain forms of online interactive gambling services, I believe that financial transaction barriers on overseas sites should also be put in place.
“Measures to block payments to overseas websites would be likely to steer most people towards the safer, well-regulated domestic sites.?br />
The three Coalition members, MPs Josh Frydenberg and Steven Ciobo and Senator Chris Back, said the Coalition launched a policy discussion paper and public consultation on gambling reform last month.
“The Coalition will complete this process before reaching a final position on any changes to current laws,?they said.
“It is expected the working group will report back to the Leader of the Opposition by the end of February.?/i>