On 21 January 2012, the Prime Minister; the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Minister for Financial Services jointly announced the Government’s plan to tackle problem gambling. Of the regulatory measures announced, the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) has responsibility for
- banning the promotion of live odds during sports coverage;
- extending pre-commitment to online betting services; and
- cracking down on online sports betting companies offering credit and introduce stricter limits on betting inducements.
A Regulation Impact Statement was required to inform these regulatory decisions but was not prepared. Consequently, the Office of Best Practice Regulation has assessed the proposal for these measures as being non-compliant with the Australian Government’s best practice regulation requirements. A Post-implementation Review will be required within one to two years from the implementation of these regulatory measures. DBCDE advise that the banning of live odds during sports coverage would only be legislated if the industry failed to address this matter voluntarily. The Australian Government will work with the states to identify the best way of implementing the other two matters listed above.