Former Aussie communications minister to head wagering council?

Remember Australian Senator Stephen Conroy?

He was the rather autocratic communications minister in the Rudd and Gillard Labor governments who oversaw some spectacularly controversial internet and telecommunications issues that included an attempt to introduce a questionable and inaccurate blacklist and ISP blocking on various industries, including online gambling (see previous reports).

So controversial was he, that in June 2009 he was named “Internet villain of the year” at the 11th annual Internet industry awards in the UK, cited as an individual who fit the criteria: “individuals or organisations that have upset the Internet industry and hampered its development.”

Earlier this month Conroy announced his retirement from the Australian Senate effective September 30 2016, triggering speculation as to his next ambition.

The Australian Financial Review has just given an indication of where that will be….CEO of the Wagering Council, a lobby group for Australian corporate bookies that is about to undergo a name change to Responsible Gaming Australia.

Wagering Council members include online operators Bet 365, William Hill and CrownBet, and the post has apparently been offered to the Senator.

The AFR refers to the challenges facing such a post, noting that the current Aussie government is about to clampdown on in-play betting via the internet and mobile channels, and the South Australian government’s intention to implement “place of consumption” taxes on internet gambling companies (see previous reports).

Wikipedia has an extensive article on the at times colourful but autocratic antics of this soon-to-retire politician.