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SOURCE- CALVIN AYRE
The fight for the legalization of online poker in Australia got a big boost after two crossbench senators threw their support behind the regulation of the game.
Aussie crossbench duo back online poker legalizationCrossbench senators David Leyonhjelm and Cory Bernardi are supporting the legalization of poker in
Australia since the game is after all a low-risk activity. Both legislators also frowned on the idea of linking problem gambling and online poker.
“Australian online poker players deserve to have a safe, regulated environment in which to enjoy their pastime and not be forced into using offshore sites,”
Sen. Leyonhjelm told parliament, according to the Australian Financial Review report.
Regulating online poker, according to the two Aussie legislators, will also mean additional income for the federal government. Sen.
Leyonhjelm suggested that the government should also create a new federal agency that will oversee online gambling in Australia.
“Rather than reflexively banning activities … they can be legalised, regulated, monitored and of course taxed,” Sen. Leyonhjelm pointed out.
“I’m not sure [the Australian Communications and Media Authority] is an appropriate regulatory agency and would like to see the
Government consider something similar to the UK Gambling Commission.”
online poker is illegal in Australia, but it barely existed when online gambling legislation was first enacted in 2001.
Since then, online poker had been operating in something of a “grey area.”
In August, Australia’s federal government gave its nod to the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016, which clarified national laws to restrict online gambling to Sports Betting only.
The fight for the legalization of online poker in Australia got a big boost after two crossbench senators threw their support behind the regulation of the game.
Aussie crossbench duo back online poker legalizationCrossbench senators David Leyonhjelm and Cory Bernardi are supporting the legalization of poker in
Australia since the game is after all a low-risk activity. Both legislators also frowned on the idea of linking problem gambling and online poker.
“Australian online poker players deserve to have a safe, regulated environment in which to enjoy their pastime and not be forced into using offshore sites,”
Sen. Leyonhjelm told parliament, according to the Australian Financial Review report.
Regulating online poker, according to the two Aussie legislators, will also mean additional income for the federal government. Sen.
Leyonhjelm suggested that the government should also create a new federal agency that will oversee online gambling in Australia.
“Rather than reflexively banning activities … they can be legalised, regulated, monitored and of course taxed,” Sen. Leyonhjelm pointed out.
“I’m not sure [the Australian Communications and Media Authority] is an appropriate regulatory agency and would like to see the
Government consider something similar to the UK Gambling Commission.”
online poker is illegal in Australia, but it barely existed when online gambling legislation was first enacted in 2001.
Since then, online poker had been operating in something of a “grey area.”
In August, Australia’s federal government gave its nod to the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016, which clarified national laws to restrict online gambling to Sports Betting only.
