Australia's Minister of Communications, Internet Technology, and the Arts, Sen.Richard Alston, announced his retirement last week. During his term as minister, Alston wanted to make forwarding e-mail illegal, introduced a bill that sought to make online betting companies illegal, and advocated other policies that restricted online gambling activities.
We asked Australian gaming attorney Anthony Seyfort:
How, if at all, will the retirement of Richard Alston affect the interactive gaming industry in Australia?
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Anthony Seyfort:
"[Alston's retirement] is likely to delay completion of the government's current review of the 2001legislation and the making of any decisions to widen or narrow the ban."
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Anthony Seyfort: Richard Alston was the principal architect and driver within government for the 2000 Internet gambling moratorium and the 2001 federal legislation to ban Internet gaming (but not most wagering) being offered to Australian residents. He is to be replaced by the current attorney general, Daryl Williams. Little is known publicly about Williams' views on gambling.
One impact of Alston's retirement is that it is likely to delay completion of the government's current review of the 2001 legislation and the making of any decisions to widen or narrow the ban. The local licensed totalisator and associated fixed-odds betting businesses have lobbied the government to extend the 2001 legislation to be also a ban on betting exchanges accepting participation from Australians. Also outstanding is the decision on whether to take any government action to limit banking, credit card or other support services for banned Internet gambling businesses.
Quite apart from whether Williams has any different views, the normal effect of a change of ministers would be to delay current initiatives unless they are truly urgent. Watch this space.
Anthony Seyfort is a partner of major Australian law firm Lander & Rogers. He is a commercial lawyer with a significant focus in his practice on regulated industries and government relations. Following 5 years as inaugural company secretary and senior lawyer for Melbourne's Crown Casino (1993 to 1998), he has advised a wide variety of terrestrial and online gambling businesses in Australia and potential new entrants, including foreign investors, suppliers and executives. aseyfort@landers.com.au - www.landers.com.au