The recent seizure of a touch screen computer from a Melbourne pub is likely to test Australia’s outdated approach to the distribution of its gambling licenses. The device, which simply offers drinkers internet access to Sportsbet, an Australian online sports book, is making a mockery of the existing gambling framework.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the machine was seized from Melbourne’s Rising Sun Hotel, after complaints were made to the Victorian gambling authorities about an ‘illegal’ internet enabled gambling device. The current gambling license for Victorian pubs is held exclusively by Tabcorp.
The touch screen computer that has caused such a furore is developed by VenueNet, an Australian company that hope to install their kiosk style machines in pubs around Australia once the current legal battle has been resolved. The machines themselves don’t accept bets but simply offer internet access to the Sportsbet site.
The case was expected to go to court this week, but the hearing has been delayed at the last minute due to a late appeal lodged by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation, who are requesting more time to put together their case.
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Tags: australia, Australian gambling
This entry was written by admin on Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 at 11:47 pm and is filed under News.
