Call for Tougher Rules: 33 Australian Lawmakers Want Better Protections

More than 30 Australian politicians, community groups and gambling reform advocates are asking for the Northern Territory government to strengthen protections against gambling harm. Open Letter An open letter signed by 33 MPs and organizations backs independent Northern Territory Member of the Legislative Assembly Justine Davis and her proposed Gambling Reform Bill, which is expected to be introduced in parliament next week. The proposed legislation would ban gambling inducements such as bonus bets, strengthen protections for young people and increase penalties for operators that breach gambling rules. It would also make preventing gambling harm a central objective of the territory’s gambling laws. Among those backing the letter are federal MPs Andrew Wilkie, Monique Ryan, David Pocock, Zali Steggall and Helen Haines. Organizations supporting the call include the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT, Suicide Prevention Australia and the Australian Council of Social Service. Following Gambling Reforms Passed in August The campaign comes just a few months after the country’s reforms brought forward by the federal government. The respective measures introduced a series of restrictions on gambling inducements, created an opt-out register for gambling advertising and extended advertising blackout periods during live sporting broadcasts. Nonetheless, gambling reform advocates say the federal measures did not go far enough. They point to recommendations from the Murphy review, a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling, which called for a comprehensive ban on online gambling advertising, a complete ban on inducements and the creation of a national gambling regulator. Davis’s bill would give the Northern Territory an opportunity to introduce stricter rules at the local level, particularly because the territory licenses a large number of Australia’s online gambling operators. “You Can’t Legislate Personal Responsibility” Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the government would consider proposals on their merits while pushing back against the idea that legislation could eliminate personal responsibility. “As a government, we’ll consider all sensible proposals on their merits, but let me be clear: while we encourage all people to gamble responsibly, you can’t legislate personal responsibility,” Boothby said. The debate comes as Australia’s gambling industry faces growing scrutiny over advertising, promotional offers and the exposure of young people to betting. Supporters of Davis’s proposal argue that stronger restrictions are needed to reduce gambling harm and improve consumer protections. In the meantime, the industry has issued clear warnings regarding the fact that tougher rules could make some customers opt for illegal offshore operators instead. The latter, of course, do not face the same regulatory requirements. With the bill due to reach the Northern Territory parliament next week, the territory is likely to face renewed pressure over how it regulates an online gambling industry that operates across Australia.