A better bet: How Australia should prevent gambling harm

And in NSW – the state with almost as many pokies as the rest of the country combined – the most recent state election was fought at least in part on pokies reforms. While the policies being debated were more focused on money laundering risks than gambling harm, both major parties brought policies to the table. And disquiet about the proliferation of online gambling harm triggered the 2023 Murphy Inquiry, which made 31 recommendations supported by multi-partisan consensus – a rare feat. Most prominently, the federal government has taken more than 14 months to respond to the Murphy Inquiry into online gambling, which handed down 31 recommendations in 2023 with multi-partisan backing. The delayed response has left big gaps in consumer protection, and demonstrates once again how politically challenging it is to achieve good policy in this space. Chapter 2 shows that governments have failed to take the necessary steps to prevent gambling harm, mainly because of the political risks of taking on the industry and its allies.

2.2 Clubs can still serve their communities with less pokies revenue

Many legal gambling operators do not have effective safeguards in place to prevent harm (Chapter 2). Our proposed reforms do not curtail the availability of legal gambling websites. Setting a pre-commitment limit will add only a small friction to the sign-up process, and most people’s spending already falls under our proposed maximum limits. It is unlikely that there would be a major exodus to offshore providers to avoid these minor inconveniences. In parallel to the reforms above, the federal government should investigate the feasibility of a single system for mandatory pre-commitment across all gambling environments. Rather than setting separate limits for pokies, online betting, and other forms of gambling, the ideal would be a single limit across all forms of gambling.

• They’re simple to play, packed with themes, and give players a chance at life-changing jackpots.
• Under Section 15(2A) of the IGA, it is unlawful for any virtual gambling portal service provider (whether based in Australia or overseas) to offer or advertise prohibited interactive gambling services to Australian residents.
• In parallel to the reforms above, the federal government should investigate the feasibility of a single system for mandatory pre-commitment across all gambling environments.
• Once a national pre-commitment system for online gambling is well established, it may be possible to extend the system to cover other forms of gambling too.
• TAB Limited operates a unique position in online betting in the state in that it is licensed under the Totalizator Act 1997 (NSW) to conduct totalizator and fixed odds wagering.

Improper Use of Emergency Call Service Offence

Stay informed and enjoy your time on our website in a responsible and fun manner. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is the key regulator enforcing the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA). Under Section 15(2A) of the IGA, it is unlawful for any virtual gambling portal service provider (whether play free lucky 88 pokies based in Australia or overseas) to offer or advertise prohibited interactive gambling services to Australian residents. For the daring, high-rolling Aussies, VIP programs are the grandstands of online casinos. They’re tailored with perks like cashback, exclusive bonuses, and personal casino hosts. Baccarat might sound high-class, but it’s one of the easiest internet casino games to play.

Aussie casinos often run loyalty programs where points can be swapped for cash, bonuses, or even real gifts. A sign-up deposit bonus is your entry pass into the casino circus, matching your first deposit (sometimes 100% or even 300%) and often tossing in free spins for pokies. Over the past 3 years I’ve spoken to many people who have experienced a family member in a very similar situation as my brothers, losing their life savings and living in a delusional world where they believe they “didn’t have a problem with gambling”.

Mandatory pre-commitment for pokies should be a priority given that pokies are a particularly harmful form of gambling (see Chapter 1). The second is that gambling is such a politically powerful industry, with many powerful allies, governments are scared to take them on. State governments regulate casinos, pokies, the racing industry, and other land-based gambling, with different rules in different states. We also need a ‘seatbelt’ for the most dangerous gambling products, to stop catastrophic losses when people lose control. Australia must get serious about preventing gambling harm and implement a package of reforms to make gambling less pervasive and safer. Meanwhile, online betting has surged, particularly among young men, spurred by a barrage of gambling advertising.