Gambling Double Standards

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

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Tuesday, 27 March 2001

Gambling Double Standards

Pokies on the Net to be exported

The Government's announcement that they will only ban online gambling for
domestic users is a sell-out to corporate casino operators, Greens Senator
Bob Brown said today.

"The current moratorium prevented any online wagering operations setting up
in Australia - whether they took bets from Australians or overseas
residents", Senator Brown said.

"But the Government has caved into the ferocious lobbying of the big
corporate casino operators.

"Banning online casino operations for Australian players but allowing casino
corporations to take money from overseas punters is morally indefensible.  

"Online gambling potentially allows a poker machine into every household.  

The Government's scheme announced today has endorsed exporting this
potential for 'pokies on the net' to every household in our neighbourhood.
 
"Minister Alston says that 70% of Australians believe that gambling does
more harm than good.  He must think that Australians won't mind us causing
the harm for someone else.

"The Government has not had the courage to stand up to the big end of town,"
Senator Brown said.

 More information: Ben Oquist 02 6277 3170 or 0419 704 095


Ben Oquist
Greens Senator Bob Brown
02 62773170 ph
02 62773185 fx
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