Wesley Mission welcomes reports the Australian Labor Party is considering amending its national platform to support a national gambling regulator ahead of this weekend’s National Conference.
Wesley Mission has consistently advocated for a national regulator. It recently, alongside the Alliance for Gambling Reform, called for its inclusion in the Australian Government’s exposure draft of its gambling reform legislation. They will again call for this reform in their joint submission to the current Senate inquiry into the bill.
Wesley Mission General Manager, Joel MacKay, says Australia can no longer afford a fragmented approach to regulating one of the world’s largest gambling markets.
“It makes no sense that gambling companies advertise nationally, operate nationally and profit nationally while regulation remains split across states and territories.
“Australia still does not have a national gambling regulator. That is like trying to referee the NRL with eight different rule books.
“Australians lose more money gambling per person than any other country in the world. Yet consumer protections vary depending on where people live. That leaves regulatory gaps and allows gambling companies to stay one step ahead of regulators.
“A national gambling regulator provides the leadership, consistency and enforcement needed to reduce gambling harm across Australia.”
The recommendation is a key finding of the landmark bipartisan parliamentary inquiry led by the late Peta Murphy MP. The inquiry finds Australia’s gambling regulatory framework is fragmented and inadequate to respond to modern gambling products and advertising.
Wesley Mission’s call for a national gambling regulator forms part of broader gambling reform including: ● A phased ban on gambling advertising ● A ban on gambling inducements and sign-up incentives ● A national self-exclusion framework ● Stronger consumer safeguards and harm-minimisation measures ● Mandatory pre-commitment and nationally consistent regulation
Mr MacKay says a national regulator delivers a coordinated approach to reform and ensures gambling operators meet consistent standards wherever they operate.
“Gambling companies already operate nationally and advertise nationally. Regulation should reflect that reality. A national gambling regulator helps ensure efforts to reduce gambling harm are not undermined by inconsistent rules or weak enforcement.
“We welcome reports Labor is considering this reform and encourage all delegates attending the National Conference to support it.
“A national gambling regulator is an essential foundation for implementing the Murphy Report recommendations and reducing gambling harm across Australia.”
/who-and-sesam-event-in-lyon.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=6788f1a1_1)
