Aussie ministers sign off ‘milestone’ online gambling reform framework

In response to last year’s review of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, state and federal ministers in Australia have given the green light on 11 new initiatives for online gambling reform.

Under the new National Consumer Protection Framework, which was signed on Thursday, companies will be banned from offering sign-up incentives to bring in new players as well as requiring players to turn over their winnings before they can be withdrawn, The Australian reported. Companies will also be forbidden from offering lines of credit via advertising on their apps or websites, according to the report.

Australian ministers also agreed to establish a voluntary, opt-out pre-commitment scheme and a national self-exclusion register for online gambling. This, according to the report, will allow problem gamblers to ban themselves from gambling for “between three months and a lifetime.” Those who signed up will be given a mandatory cooling off period during which they may revoke their decision.

The framework is expected to be “legislated as quickly as possible, largely through Commonwealth legislation” for consistency across jurisdictions.