Australia To Investigate Mobile Gambling

Australia's Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy is set to investigate what role smart phones play in online gambling.

The review is related to the country's Interactive Gambling Act of 201 and will begin investigating mobile phones in the gambling market. The department has set a commitment of sharing its findings to the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform by the end of the year, and to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy by the first half of 2012.

The review will be looking into:

• The growth of online gambling services in Australia and abroad, and how this relates to problem gambling rates.

• The development of new technologies, and how current technologies may accelerate mobile gambling trends.

• Examination of the social, tax, and enforcement aspects of regulated access and how it is related to gambling services which are currently prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001.

• The adequacy of provisions in the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001, and the technical, operational and enforcement issues relating to the prohibition of online gambling services and the advertising of these services.

• Consideration, where appropriate, of technology and platform neutrality regarding "betting on the run" and micro-betting.

• Harm minimization strategies for online gambling.

• The findings of the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform inquiry into interactive and online gambling and gambling advertising and the Productivity Commission Inquiry Report on Gambling.

The review is taking place after it was revealed that there has been a steady increase in sports betting. Sports books are currently promoting live odds, which are shown during live sports coverage. which has come under fire from some in the government.