The government of Australia is implementing a significant measure to combat gambling addiction by establishing a nationwide structure for player safeguards. This program unites all provinces and territories under a unified “National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering.”
This structure, anticipated to be introduced progressively over the coming year and a half, aims to furnish Australians with ten robust and standardized protections. A crucial component is mandating that gaming entities equip users with user-friendly instruments to regulate their wagering behaviors.
This action is unsurprising, given that Australia has witnessed a worrisome tripling of problematic online gambling. This surge is attributed to a historically lenient stance towards wagering combined with the swift advancement of technology.
With an estimated 2.5 million active internet gambling accounts nationwide, affecting roughly one million Australians, the framework seeks to provide a much-needed safety measure. It holds particular importance for the estimated 240,000 Australians already contending with severe gambling issues.
For the first time in Australia, a national self-exclusion registry will be created, enabling individuals to bar themselves from wagering platforms. This impactful step will be enacted by the national government.
This groundbreaking framework originates from suggestions made following a 2015 federal review of unlawful offshore betting, emphasizing a proactive response to a mounting concern.
This expands on prior legislative changes implemented by the administration, including restricting marketing, breaking connections between short-term loan providers and internet gaming platforms, and attempting to close down illicit businesses.