The Australian government bans the use of credit cards for online betting

A lot has changed when it comes to Australian gambling law, and new legislation has just been passed. The use of credit cards as a means of payment for online betting will be banned from now on, Australia’s Federal Parliament has decided.

Important measure

Kay Cantwell, CEO of Responsible Waging Australia, supports this decision. He believes that the country needs this decision because residents will only be allowed to gamble with their money Actually on their cards.

Cantwell commented: “This is an important measure to protect customers and their loved ones, making it easier for people to control their gambling behaviour. It will complement the existing offer of safer gambling account management tools that RWA members offer customers to help them take control of their betting.”

Lottery and Keno question

He added that it is disappointing that some types of games, for example, the lottery And kenoHe was Excluded from this prohibition Since the lottery The most popular type of gambling In the country, especially in people from lower socio-economic groups.

Only in 2020 and 2021 did the Nationals lose More than $3.2 billion Playing these two types of games, according to Australian gambling statistics. When online keno was legalized in Victoria, these numbers increased even more, and in 2022 and 2023, losses increased by more than 400%.

There are other parts of gambling law from which lotteries are excluded. There too National self-exclusion register, Betstopso Australians who have already excluded themselves from other forms of online gambling still have the opportunity to gamble Up to $10,000 Online by playing the lottery.

Cantwell added: “To effectively reduce gambling harm, consumer protection measures must be in place across all forms of gambling. Otherwise, those at risk of harm will move from one form of gambling to another, less regulated one.”

Strict regulations

The industry is talking about the possible ban of credit cards starting in 2021. RWA members are collaborating with the federal government and financial institutions to provide… The best possible solutions When it comes to credit card blocking and online gambling regulations. Institutions will continue to work hard on this, and the ban should be implemented across all online casinos in Australia six months.

This is the latest regulation in Australian market, but not the only one. Other prohibitions include banning outdoor signage, lowering the cash input limit, reducing the maximum machinery entitlements, and more.

source: Narayan, Negi, “Australian Parliament passes legislation banning online credit card betting. European Games. December 7, 2023.