Norfolk Island loses power to grant gambling licenses to international operators

The government of Australia has clamped down on Norfolk Island to approve wagering licenses after the island’s gaming authority allowed an online betting exchange, which has links to some controversial operators, to operate in the country.

On Thursday, Minister for Territories Paul Fletcher stripped the Norfolk Island Gaming Authority (NIGA) of its authority to award gambling licenses, news.com.au reported. As part of the federal government’s directive, the authority can no longer make any decisions on license approvals, transfers and variations “without ministerial approval.”

In addition, Fletcher also ruled “the authority must not destroy or dispose of any item of correspondence or other document, electronic or otherwise, that is held by the authority…at or after the commencement of this direction,” The Australian reported.

Licenses that were approved before the Australian government’s order came out will not be affected, according to the report.