The Australian federal government has announced that it will relax parts of its planned ban on online gambling.
The revamped legislation will allow online sports betting and lotteries to do business as usual, but takes aim at offshore gambling sites - something that earlier drafts had not done.
Communications Minister Richard Alston said the fledgling online casino industry needed to be brought under control before it became a major social problem in Australia. The country already has one of the largest populations of problem gamblers in the world.
Alston did note, however, that the Australian racing industry had raised valid concerns about the sweeping nature of the original Internet gambling ban.
"In the case of the racing industry, the government remains concerned about the impact of Internet wagering, but recognizes that this concern needs to be balanced against the impact of a ban on a bona fide and long established industry," he said.
Four amendments to the ban will exclude wagering on horse and greyhound racing, sports betting and lotteries. Gambling companies will, however, be banned from both advertising and providing their services. The government hopes this will limit the access of Australian and offshore gaming companies to the Australian public.
It also plans to make it an offense for overseas gambling companies to offer their services to Australians, although Alston did not say how the government planned to enforce this measure.
The changes have satisfied some critics, but the Australian Casino Association expressed its displeasure with the changes. In a statement, ACA Executive Director Chris Downy commented, "Online gaming regulation, whether for wagering or casino style games, must be consistent."
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