Online gambling under review

THE Commonwealth is actively examining legislation to impose a twelve month moratorium on the introduction of new interactive gambling services, according to Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston and Minister for Family and Community Services Senator Jocelyn Newman.

Any such legislation would cover new forms of interactive gambling not presently offered by existing providers.

However, before drafting commences, the Commonwealth has asked the States and Territories to put forward their views on the nature and scope of the moratorium.

Of all the States and Territories only New South Wales and WA agreed to an immediate moratorium propsed by the Commonwealth at the Ministerial Council on Gambling held on 19 April.