According to an article published in the Financial Times online yesterday evening, a preliminary report from the Productivity Commission released on 26 October 2009, is advising that the government relax the laws banning online gaming in Australia in order that the industry can be regulated. According to the article, the Australian population spends around A$700m (US$643m) a year on foreign online gaming websites and many of the social and financial issues associated with online gaming could be reduced greatly by implementing a regulated system across Australia. The preliminary report, an update on the original “information report” of 1999, is going to be submitted to The Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) by 26 February 2010. If you want a rounded overview of what the report says, please click here.
The fact that an Australian based, government sanctioned, regulated online gambling industry would be a positive move for online gamblers and industry suppliers alike is nothing new to the likes of us. However, the surprising thing about this recent report on theonline gaming industry in Australia is that not only was the independent research and advisory body that wrote the paper funded by the The Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) but that it was asked to focus on problem gambling. This request showed an acceptance of the habit of gambling with the onus put on curbing the problems created for individuals who couldn’t control their habit. The fact that this updated report is advising the sanctioning of the industry with strict measures of control is yet another form of green light for the online gaming industry in Australia. This positive turnaround shows that the reality of an industry already in existence should be accepted by the powers-that-be, in order that they can then focus on limiting the negative aspects and impact of something that is prevalent in Australian society, and has been for many many years.
For more news on the Australian gaming laws and pokie games you should have a look at online pokies club.
This entry was written by Nena on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 4:54 am and is filed under News, Uncategorized.
