Tasmanian regulator supports online gambling legalisation

Peter Hoult, a member of the Tasmanian Gaming Commission, has joined the growing number of gambling industry experts who support the concept of regulated online gambling in Australia rather than the prohibitionary stance envisaged by some members of the federal government.

In a submission to the government’s review of the Interactive Gambling Act this week, Hoult said that he was concerned about punters using unregulated websites based overseas.

“We should set up a regulated Australian online environment and encourage people to use those safe and regulated operators,” he opined.

Andrew Wilkie, the independent member of parliament chairing the review assured Hoult that the possibility of regulation was being considered, along with other options.

“We do need to decide do we need to tighten the controls or do we in fact need to liberalise it so that Australians don’t have to go to risky, unregulated off-shore sites?” Wilkie said.

“I’m yet to make up my mind, but the committee will be bringing down its report either late this year or early next year.”