Storm in a teacup over Aussie payments to online casinos

A media ‘expose’ this week turned out to be rather a storm in a teacup when a local newspaper revealed that POLi Payments – an online payments subsidiary of the state’s Australia Post – had been used [shock, horror!] by Aussies making deposits at offshore online casinos.

The newspaper investigation showed that many such gambling companies openly published their acceptance of the payment channel, and claimed that “at least” A$5 million had been “raked in” since POLi was acquired by Australia Post in October 2014.

Obsessive anti-online gambling foe Senator Nick Xenophon was quick to express outrage and hold the government to account, but as a spokesman for Australia Post pointed out, POLi does not market or advertise itself as an internet gambling service, and is not in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act.

“We are comfortable that POLi is acting in accordance with the Interactive Gambling Act and other applicable gaming laws where POLi is involved in making payment transfer services available for use,” the spokesperson explained in an email to the newspaper.

However, continued service for punters may now be in danger, as a cautious POLi could curtail it as a precautionary move.

The spokesperson hinted that Australia Post may withdraw its payment services to online casinos, given it is not part of its long term business strategy.

“It is not an area that we intend to operate in over the long term,” the spokesperson said.