The Australian Senate has passed the Interactive Gambling Bill
2001, which effectively prohibits all on-line gambling services
from being offered to Australian citizens. The blanket ban is
subject to limited exceptions where betting takes place prior to a
specified event.
The Bill is to go before the House of Representatives
immediately so that it can be fully adopted as law. Following this,
there will be a six month period in which banks will be required to
establish regulations ensuring that internet gambling debts will
not be honored.
The issue of on-line gambling has also been raised in the US
this week at a Louisiana District Appeals court. The case questions
whether the Wire Act 1961 prevents all forms of internet gambling
or only those related to sporting activities. The loop-hole on
which the case is based arose from a remark made by an appeal court
judge regarding the scope of the Act.
