Australia’s economy is and probably always will be been built on outrageous cronyism and monopolies, its just been slow on the uptake keeping up with technological advances like internet gambling.
Like other posts here confirm, its NOTHING to do with the anti-gambling lobbies - the Aussie government couldn't give two shits about that - and everything to do with keeping profits up for the B&M owners and their mates in government. Their alcohol industry is kept running along the same lines, same as their banking industry. Small time views run by close knit families, much like Vegas was run in the 70s.
I hope VS told the government official where to go - cheeky f***ers.
That is not entirely true.
In 2016, Australians lost more money per person than any other developed nation.
Apparently there are over 196k pokies in Australia, and where there are pokies, incidents of social problems, such as domestic violence, are far higher than those areas where pokies are fewer.
Gambling is prolific among disadvantaged aussies, and there is widespread dismay that many indigenous aussies are spending their benefits on gambling and alcohol, and not on the necessities of life (food, rent, etc).
It is these factors that anti-gambling lobbies are highlighting, and which are behind their attempts to ban gambling, both onshore and offshore.
But...perhaps the anti-gambling crusade, of which the govt advocates it is a firm believer, may simply be a smokescreen after all.
Because the crux of the matter seems to be...preventing any restriction to onshore gambling "is a powerful gambling industry, and their cozy relations with the government."
If this is the case, it is despicable, and certainly appears the govt is playing with a double-edged sword: Ban offshore to appease the anti-gambling lobby which also benefits the Aussie gambling industry, by removing the offshore competition.
One further point: CM mentioned in an earlier post that online sports betting is legal. However this type of betting is apparently causing a major gambling problem among young men, so why is it legal, and not online casinos? Beggars belief, IMHO.
I agree with your sentiment re VS. However, they have also rolled over as they are not accepting any new players from Australia.
what will the Australian government do to casinos that accept Australian players? And to Australian players who gamble online?
It is not illegal for aussies to gamble online at any offshore casino, so there are no penalties involved - it is just illegal for offshore casinos to offer their services to us Aussies.
However, I would also love to know what the govt can do to those offshore casinos that still allow us to play, as those are outside of the govt's jurisdiction.
