Australia to crack down on online overseas gambling

Wednesday 29th of October 2014

Australia is set to announce a crackdown on the illegal overseas online gambling market, which is estimated to be worth as much as $1.5 billion ($1.33 billion), the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The new measures may be announced as early as Thursday. An Illegal Offshore Wagering Working Group will be formed under the federal government's Gambling Industry Advisory Council and will include representatives from the horseracing industry, professional sports and wagering organizations.

The newspaper, in an exclusive report, said Australian Racing Board chief executive Peter McGauran will be appointed to the working group along with a representative from the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports, which represents the AFL and three other football codes and other sports such as netball, cricket and tennis.

The group may suggest measures such as asking internet service providers to block access to foreign bookmakers.

Australia’s bookmaking industry has been lobbying the government to take action to clamp down on illegal overseas gambling, as has the racing industry, amid concern about falling revenue to fund horse racing and other sports.

The group may also look at measures to discourage Australia-based operators from relocating abroad to avoid paying taxes and fees to the racing industry and other sporting bodies.

The online wagering market in Australia is estimated to be about $10 billion, the report said.