Australian government bans the use of credit cards in online gambling
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Australians have been advised to reassess their gambling behaviours as the federal government moves to ban the use of credit cards in online betting.
Research has shown that Australians lose about $25 billion each year in legal forms of gambling, and the government aims to protect vulnerable Australians and their families from potential loss with this landmark move.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said: 'It’s as simple as this: People should not be betting with money they do not have.'
'The Australian government remains committed to protecting Australians from gambling harms.'
The legislation, proposed earlier this year, is set to be introduced to federal parliament this week and will prevent online betting companies from allowing the use of credit cards.
Furthermore, companies that don’t adhere to the regulations will face massive fines of up to $234,750.
Credit cards are already prohibited from 'land-based' betting, and the proposed bill will extend that to credit-related products that will emerge in the future to keep the legislation up-to-date with potential developments in technology.
This follows the parliamentary inquiry into online gambling established in 2021, which recommended a ban on the use of credit cards as a payment method.
The committee stated: 'While the number of people suffering substantial harm from the use of credit to gamble online may be comparatively small, the consequences are significant and life-changing.'
'And those harmful impacts can spill out onto family members and the broader community.'
Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), the peak national gambling body, is also supportive of the move to ban credit card use.
Some members of the SDC are also in agreement with one member, @Catherines, saying: 'Absolutely agree. About time the government got their act together and also banned a lot of other advertising at sporting events that cause families to suffer because of the betting and alcohol money spent.'
While member @VH904 shared: 'I don’t gamble, but I know a number of families [who] have compulsive gamblers in their family… I don’t think anything will stop them unless they get help. However, if they take away the convenience of doing it over the phone or online, it might slow them down.'
This bill is in addition to other policies created to reduce losses in gambling, such as the introduction of monthly activity statements that include wins and losses.
Another initiative available nationwide is BetStop, a self-exclusion registry that 'allows consumers to exclude themselves from all Australian-licensed wagering services'.
The industry and consumers are given a six-month transition period to update business protocols and betting behaviours.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from gambling addiction, you may call the National Gambling Helpline at 1800 858 858 for immediate, free, professional, and confidential support. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Do you agree with the new legislation, dear members? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Research has shown that Australians lose about $25 billion each year in legal forms of gambling, and the government aims to protect vulnerable Australians and their families from potential loss with this landmark move.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said: 'It’s as simple as this: People should not be betting with money they do not have.'
'The Australian government remains committed to protecting Australians from gambling harms.'
Australian government bans the use of credit cards in online gambling. Image source: Shutterstock.
The legislation, proposed earlier this year, is set to be introduced to federal parliament this week and will prevent online betting companies from allowing the use of credit cards.
Furthermore, companies that don’t adhere to the regulations will face massive fines of up to $234,750.
Credit cards are already prohibited from 'land-based' betting, and the proposed bill will extend that to credit-related products that will emerge in the future to keep the legislation up-to-date with potential developments in technology.
Australian government bans the use of credit cards in online gambling. Image source: Shutterstock.
This follows the parliamentary inquiry into online gambling established in 2021, which recommended a ban on the use of credit cards as a payment method.
The committee stated: 'While the number of people suffering substantial harm from the use of credit to gamble online may be comparatively small, the consequences are significant and life-changing.'
'And those harmful impacts can spill out onto family members and the broader community.'
Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), the peak national gambling body, is also supportive of the move to ban credit card use.
Some members of the SDC are also in agreement with one member, @Catherines, saying: 'Absolutely agree. About time the government got their act together and also banned a lot of other advertising at sporting events that cause families to suffer because of the betting and alcohol money spent.'
While member @VH904 shared: 'I don’t gamble, but I know a number of families [who] have compulsive gamblers in their family… I don’t think anything will stop them unless they get help. However, if they take away the convenience of doing it over the phone or online, it might slow them down.'
This bill is in addition to other policies created to reduce losses in gambling, such as the introduction of monthly activity statements that include wins and losses.
Another initiative available nationwide is BetStop, a self-exclusion registry that 'allows consumers to exclude themselves from all Australian-licensed wagering services'.
The industry and consumers are given a six-month transition period to update business protocols and betting behaviours.
Do you agree with the new legislation, dear members? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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