Ladbrokes reportedly unhappy with Australian progress on a self-exclusion system
News on 20 Aug 2018
News on 20 Aug 2018
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that online bookmaker Ladbrokes in becoming increasingly frustrated at what it sees as slow progress in developing an Australian nation-wide, multi operator self-exclusion system for problem gamblers.
Ladbrokes reportedly favours a multi-operator approach similar to that introduced in the Northern Territory licensing jurisdiction
According to Ladbrokes the bookmaker “unequivocally supports the National Self Exclusion scheme,” but is concerned at the complexity of proposals, delays and who should develop the system.
Ladbrokes has also expressed reservations regarding proposals to ban sign-up inducements for new customers.
Ladbrokes general counsel Patrick Brown commented this week that the design and implementation of most multi-operator self-exclusion schemes fails due to complexity. The company urged rivals Sportsbet and BetEasy to work within the Responsible Wagering Australia organisation on an efficient and practical multi-operator self-exclusion scheme.
The online bookmaker has additionally pointed to the UK’s GamStop scheme as a possible solution as operators and government try to reach consensus.
However, critics of that suggestion have noted that the UK Gambling Commission raised concerns earlier this year at shortcomings in the newly-launched scheme following reports that self-excluded punters could continue to receive promotional material from operators.
The main aim of the industry body Responsible Wagering Australia is to enable punters in all states to exclude themselves from online gambling activities, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
