Bets on foreign lotteries could be banned in Australia

A new legislation that seeks the prohibition of betting on Keno lotteries will be presented tomorrow.

Australia.- Communications Minister Mitch Fifield has announced that the government is set to introduce a legislation to ban on lotteries on Keno games. The statement comes after the government reiterated its intention to ban “synthetic lotteries”, which allow players to bet on the outcome of lotteries.

Fifield said that the government thinks synthetic lotteries are a threat to small business owners and newsagents. “[The government] has formed the view that permitting betting on these services… undermines the long-standing community acceptance of official lottery and keno products,” he said.

“Traditional lotteries and keno games are popular and long-standing recreational gambling products that form an important income stream for thousands of small businesses across Australia, including newsagents, pharmacies, pubs and community clubs,” he added, and commented that they also generate significant taxation revenue for state and territory governments, helping to fund schools, hospitals, public transport and roads.

The bill forbids foreigns operators from offering any type of bets on the outcome of Australian and overseas lottery draws. These amendments are expected to come into effect after the passing of the bill through the parliament in order to allow an appropriate transition period

Moreover, Fifield said that as many Australians enjoy lotteries and keno as a recreational activity, the Turnbull Government is committed to ensuring that gambling takes place under a robust legislative framework with strong consumer protections and within the boundaries of community standards.