Banks don't want Australian UIGEA

[The Buzz]

Banks and Visa have told the Australian government that any attempts to block online gambling transactions would be unworkable, saying such a block might also hinder online shopping transactions.

From the Sydney Morning Herald:

The chief executive of the Australian Bankers' Association, Steven Munchenberg, warned the joint select committee on gambling reform that trying to restrict transactions was "not straightforward".

The committee is investigating a bill introduced by the independent Senator Nick Xenophon to restrict financial transactions on prohibited internet gambling sites.

"[If] Australia was identified as a jurisdiction where payment obligations may not be fulfilled in a certain and timely manner, it is possible that merchants and online service providers will refuse to accept business and payments from customers designated as originating from Australia," Mr Munchenberg said.

"This would have a significant impact on the contestability of Australian businesses as well as the ability for Australian consumers to purchase online goods and services."

[david_tamworth]

"An Australian government that any attempts to block online gambling transactions would be unworkable"

Wow - really? Anyone would have thought Australia was living in the dark ages

The sooner they realise that they can't control the internet, that people will gamble online if they want to, and that they can gain millions in revenue by legalising and regulating online gambling therefore creater a safer platform for everyone, the better!!

[Renee]

Personal agendas (like religion) should be banned from politics. It's all these douchebags like Xenophon who ruin it for everyone.

I've always said they shoud regulate and tax it and spend the money on problem gambling then they have nothing to complain about.

[casdirs]

The sooner they realise that they can't control the internet, that people will gamble online if they want to, and that they can gain millions in revenue by legalising and regulating online gambling therefore creater a safer platform for everyone, the better!!

That's the best piece of logic I've heard for a very long time, I agree 100% Why can't the various governments understand that too?!

[david_tamworth]

The sooner they realise that they can't control the internet, that people will gamble online if they want to, and that they can gain millions in revenue by legalising and regulating online gambling therefore creater a safer platform for everyone, the better!!

That's the best piece of logic I've heard for a very long time, I agree 100% Why can't the various governments understand that too?!

No idea! Governments around the world are making this move - surely Australia can't be so stupid as to fall behind logical progression? (Again!)

[rak]

Personal agendas (like religion) should be banned from politics. It's all these douchebags like Xenophon who ruin it for everyone.

Ironically... AMEN!

[rak]

That's the best piece of logic I've heard for a very long time, I agree 100% Why can't the various governments understand that too?!

I think it was GFPC and I who were talking about this, but governments don't think like normal rationale people. They see in what should be a simple solution and put layers upon layers of crap ontop of it. Either to slow down the process of passing a law, or buring it so deep that the public interest in it dies away - and they are then able to make decisions in government interests and not peoples interests.

[machino]

The sooner they realise that they can't control the internet, that people will gamble online if they want to, and that they can gain millions in revenue by legalising and regulating online gambling therefore creater a safer platform for everyone, the better!!

Well said !! when i read the articles on a website called betastic. that is exactly what i thought !!!!!!! Governments are wasting far to much timeee

[david_tamworth]

The sooner they realise that they can't control the internet, that people will gamble online if they want to, and that they can gain millions in revenue by legalising and regulating online gambling therefore creater a safer platform for everyone, the better!!

That's the best piece of logic I've heard for a very long time, I agree 100% Why can't the various governments understand that too?!

AMEN!

[AFFcoins]

This is going to be a mess which will take years to sort out. They will prob sneak this one through though.