Delayed Action in Queensland Sets Back Launch of Australia’s Nationwide Gambling Self-Exclusion Scheme
The National Consumer Protection Framework is not quite ready to be rolled out as Queensland is yet to vote on it
The rollout of a nationwide self-exclusion system for Australians trying to quit online gambling is set to be delayed because of Queensland, as the state has remained the only Australian jurisdiction that is yet to approve the proposed measures, news outlet the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
The self-exclusion scheme has been in the works for over three years and aims to help people with problem gambling behavior and gambling addicts quit gambling on the nation’s licensed betting websites.
All other Australian states and territories have officially agreed to introduce the self-exclusion system, but Queensland legislators are yet to vote on it which will imminently delay the introduction of the proposed reforms across the nation.
The scheme, known as the National Consumer Protection Framework, includes a new set of tools and standards intended to curb problem gambling and strengthen existing consumers protections within the online betting space. Aside from a self-exclusion tool allowing gamblers to ban themselves from gambling on licensed websites and apps, the framework also includes a voluntary pre-commitment system allowing bettors to set their own betting limits as well as a nationwide ban on bookmakers to provide “inducements” to lure customers into registering with their websites.
Queensland Delaying the Process
As mentioned earlier, Queensland has remained the only Australian jurisdiction that is yet to approve the National Consumer Protection Work. It is understood that the federal government has been urging Queensland Attorney General Yvette D’Ath table the responsible gambling measures to the state’s government and press for quick approval of those.
A spokeswoman for Ms. D’Ath has told the Sydney Morning Herald that the Queensland government has been working on its own problem gambling framework that will also be consistent with the nationwide scheme. State lawmakers have informed the Attorney General’s office that both frameworks will be finalized by the end of the year, the spokeswoman has added.
Lauren Levin, Policy Director at Financial Counselling Australia, has been among the most active lobbyists for the responsible gambling reforms. In recent comments, she has said that the implementation of the nationwide self-exclusion program is “desperately needed” and “urgent” and that the government should make it its priority.
The proposed measures have received support from Australia’s largest bookmakers, including Tabcorp, Sportsbet, BetEasy, bet365, Ladbrokes, and Unibet.
Lobbyists are pressing for urgent reforms in the nation’s responsible gambling policies at a time when studies are showing that Australians are the spendiest gamblers in the world. According to the latest data published by the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office, Australian gamblers wagered A$209 billion in 2016/2017, up 0.7% from the prior year. In addition, one of the latest snapshots of problem gambling in Australia, provided by the Australian Gambling Research Centre, shows that around 7.5% of the nation’s population, that is around 1.4 million people, are experiencing a low, moderate, or high level of gambling harm.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the day’s top casino news stories.
The post Delayed Action in Queensland Sets Back Launch of Australia’s Nationwide Gambling Self-Exclusion Scheme appeared first on Casino News Daily.
Comments :
Post a Comment