Games “don’t pass the smell test”
Results of a public poll leaked by the Australian indicates that more than one-third of Aussie voters oppose the liberalization of online gambling laws, including allowing in-play bets.
The Asia Gaming Brief reports that 35 percent of those surveyed say they would be less likely to vote for the Coalition Party if it supports legal in-play betting. Moreover, 33 percent of voters said they were more likely to vote for candidates who support tightening online laws.
One federal minister agreed, saying any plan to expand gaming on the verge of an election is “madness,” reported AGB. “The idea of watering down online gambling laws and allowing high-volume online in-play sports betting—turning every mobile phone into an online poker machine—is not politically smart at any time, let alone an election year,” the unnamed minister said.
Another unnamed source, identified only as an adviser to an Australian-owned betting company, said he had not found one official who supports online in-play sports bets. “The reality is that the foreign-owned corporate bookies backed by ‘big sport’ have probably won over some policy purist bureaucrats and a handful of advisers,’’ he said. “However, they have simply not been able to convince those that matter, the elected officials. Why? Because these types of gambling products simply don’t pass the smell test.”
