Australian bettors will no longer be able to use their credit cards to make online wagers as a result of new legislation that went into effect today.
Cards connected to digital wallets and digital currencies like Bitcoin, too, are affected by the new laws.
As they have been collaborating with the Commonwealth Government to implement this prohibition since 2021, Responsible Wagering Australia applauded the news being released.
The credit card ban covers practically all online gambling in Australia. A ban on land-based gambling was already in effect. The restriction, however, does not apply to certain games, like lotteries and keno, which can still be played with credit cards.
Responsible Wagering Australia CEO Kai Cantwell said:
This is an important measure to protect customers, making it easier for people to stay in control of their own gambling behaviour. It will complement the existing offering of safer gambling account management tools by RWA members. RWA and its members support the extension of this measure to all forms of gambling that have been exempted from the ban such as lotteries and keno.”
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said that further changes would be announced by the government in due course.
Rowland commented:
“Australians should not be gambling with money they do not have. Last year, the Albanese Labor government committed to banning credit cards for online wagering – and we’ve delivered. This ban builds on the significant progress to minimise gambling harm that the Albanese government has made over the past two years which is already benefiting thousands of vulnerable Australians.”
Regarding upcoming adjustments, starting in September, computer games with gambling-like material will need to adhere to mandated minimum classifications.
