Cards Banned
Australia officially banned residents from using credit cards for most forms of gambling online. The ban came into effect on Monday, June 11th.
It also extends to any other credit-based platforms and digital currencies.
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Building On Pre-Existing Measures
The new ban sees a new piece of legislation introduced to the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. It was first floated in parliament at the end of last year, receiving the seal of approval in late November.
The ban, which is an extension of pre-existing measures, will significantly enhance the powers of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in enforcing penalties and provisions on those who violate the rules.
Credit card gambling has been banned at physical venues in Australia for some time, and the hope is that this new step will help to promote responsible gambling in the country by preventing people from getting into credit card debt when playing online.
Some campaigners have criticised the move, with keno and lottery games exempt from the ban. Many critics have argued that the ban should be extensive, highlighting the lack of consistency across consumer protection standards.
Credit card bans have proven to be an effective tool in tackling gambling harm in other markets, with the UK being one of the most successful examples of this measure being used.
Addressing Gambling Harm
Australia has taken significant steps in recent years to tackle gambling harm. In August 2023, the country launched BetStop, a self-exclusion program that has already seen over 22,000 Australians sign up.
It has also introduced a pre-verification process that requires operators to confirm a customer’s identity when they sign-up for an account. They must also provide players with monthly statements outlining their account’s wins and losses.
