A study was completed recently by the Australian Federal Productivity Commission which focused on gambling and its impact on the country. The study found that the country should remove the national online casino ban. The report found that the country would benefit from removing the ban.

The Commission noted in their report that the ban is questionable legally and is ineffective as well as it leaves consumers unprotected. Figures in the report show that online gambling represents four percent of the national gaming market, even while it is banned, and that number is continuing to rise.

The report went on to say that it is unacceptable to leave the citizens in danger of an unregulated international industry which in turn makes it a priority to license online casinos. The commission also says that Australia must give up the ban and establish regulations on the online gambling industry to protect children and problem gamblers, as well as prevent fraud and money laundering.

"In its unregulated form, online gaming is available 24 hours a day, allows credit betting, has no intrinsic restrictions on bet size," states the report. "The commission recommends that the Australian government allow online gaming subject to a strict regime of consumer protection."

It will be interesting to see if the government of Australia takes the commission’s report and makes the changes or if the ban will stay in place.




- 2009-10-22