Tasmania grants gambling license as government admits laws need updating

Online bookmaker Betr has been granted a five-year gambling license in Tasmania, prompting the company to shift its operations from the Northern Territory to the island state by year's end. The move signifies a significant shift in the Australian online wagering landscape, with Betr citing a multi-year evaluation of regulatory frameworks as the reason for its decision.

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Sure, the Tasmanian government says they'll update the regulations, but I'll believe that when I see it.

Tasmanian Treasurer Eric Abetz acknowledged that the state's current legislation requires updating to provide "appropriate guardrails and modern systems." He stated that existing regulations do not adequately reflect the technology, operating models, and governance of contemporary online betting businesses, indicating a proactive approach to modernizing the legal framework.

However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from Federal Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, who accused the Tasmanian government of rolling out the "red carpet to a predatory industry." Wilkie expressed skepticism about the government's commitment to updating regulations, stating, "I'll believe that when I see it." He questioned the timing, suggesting the laws should be updated before granting licenses to such companies.

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A number of existing Tasmanian regulatory requirements do not appropriately reflect the technology, operating models and governance arrangements of modern online wagering businesses.

Concerns about regulatory oversight are amplified by the history of online bookmakers being licensed in the Northern Territory, an area previously scrutinized for alleged conflicts of interest within its regulator. Mark Kempster of the Alliance for Gambling Reform highlighted this as a prime example of why a national regulator is needed, expressing doubts about Tasmania's capacity to effectively regulate major industry players. He also pointed to past instances where the state government allegedly yielded to industry pressure, such as abandoning plans for a mandatory cashless card.

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This is a really big industry and knowing the amount of people who do complain about this industry, they're going to have a lot of issues to deal with with these types of companies.