Fed: Gambling companies face anxious wait over net bets ban

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2001
Fed: Gambling companies face anxious wait over net bets ban

The gaming and racing industries face an anxious wait to know the fate of the proposed
Internet gambling ban, after parliament broke up for six weeks today without a decision.

Under laws introduced to parliament today, Internet gambling companies face fines of
up to $1.1 million a day if they take bets from within Australia.

But they'll still be able to take bets from overseas punters and Australians will be
legally allowed to gamble off-shore.

The proposals were immediately referred to a Senate committee -- the fifth inquiry
into on-line gambling in two years -- that will report back on May 23.

The current freeze runs out on May 19 and with Greens Senator BOB BROWN and the Australian
Democrats already signalling amendments, there could be a gap of weeks before the new
laws are in place.

Labor plans to oppose the bill, meaning the government will have to depend on Senator
BROWN and three other senators for support.

Communications Minister RICHARD ALSTON has hit back at Labor over its opposition to
the ban, accusing assistant treasury spokesman KELVIN THOMSON of hypocrisy and deception.

AAP RTV kmh/daw/hn/wz

KEYWORD: GAMBLING (CANBERRA)

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