Australian Productivity Commission recommends legalized gaming

[The Buzz]

Some news from Down Under last week, as the Australian Productivity Commission, the Australian Federal Government's independent advisory body for microeconomic reform, recommended that online gambling should be legalized.

PokerNews quotes a report from the APC that says "The Australian Government should repeal the Interactive Gambling Act, and in consultation with state and territory governments, should initiate a process for the managed liberalisation of online gaming."

From PokerNews:

PokerNews Chief Consultant Damon Rasheed is "delighted with the PC's main draft recommendation, in regards to online gambling, to repeal the Interactive Gambling Act. We agree with the PC's draft findings that risks associated with online gambling are lower than generally supposed and that changing to a system of managed liberalisation will reduce the effects of problem gambling in Australia. We look forward to the final report and urge the Australian Federal Government to consider the recommendations put forward".

[CK - Schalk]

Yeah, I don't think we'll see this happening.

Problem gambling is a BIG talking point in Aus at the moment, but it's currently at a point where the government is "dependent" on gambling taxes from racing and pokies industries.

I would imagine that setting up a strawman (online gambling), and then knocking it back is a good way to seem pro-active in their probelm gambling fight, without actually stepping on the toes of any current contributors.

OMG. I sound like a conspiracy theorist. Can my tinfoil hat be a top hat please?

[Renee]

Yeah, I don't think we'll see this happening.

Problem gambling is a BIG talking point in Aus at the moment, but it's currently at a point where the government is "dependent" on gambling taxes from racing and pokies industries.

I would imagine that setting up a strawman (online gambling), and then knocking it back is a good way to seem pro-active in their probelm gambling fight, without actually stepping on the toes of any current contributors.

OMG. I sound like a conspiracy theorist. Can my tinfoil hat be a top hat please?

At least you're not keyword stuffing

Such a conspiracy theorist Schalkie.

[hazo]

I would love for this to happen. Anyone have any more info? Timeline on when a decision will be made?