The Department of Justice and Attorney-General has drafted legislation aimed at protecting people gambling online better.
Introducing the legislation into Parliament, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D’Ath said the proposed laws were aimed squarely at minimising gambling harm to Queenslanders.
“The rate of online problem gambling is three times higher than other types of gambling and we’re determined to drive this rate down,” Ms D’Ath said.
“We know that inducements to open an account, such as free bonus bets, are being offered by some online wagering operators and this is contributing to excessive and unsafe gambling levels.”
She said the legislation included a ban on inducements to open a betting account with an online wagering provider.
“Inducements for referring a friend to open an account will also be banned,” the Minister said.
She said the proposed ban was agreed between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments under the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering, signed in November 2018.
She said the Government was going even further than the national framework by moving to ban inducements offered to punters to stop them closing a betting account or from unsubscribing from direct marketing.
“This is all part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to tackle problem gambling and the harm it causes,” Ms D’Ath said.
