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Interactive Gambling Amendment (Virtual Credits) Bill 2013

Introduced into the Senate on 16 May 2013

Sponsor: Senator Xenophon

Overview

1.1        This bill seeks to ensure that gambling activities online are captured by the definition of 'gambling service' in the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The bill seeks to amend that definition to explicitly include games that are played for virtual coins, virtual tokens, virtual objects or similar things purchased as part of a game.

Compatibility with human rights

1.2        The bill is accompanied by a self-contained statement of compatibility which states that the bill does not engage any relevant rights of freedoms, 'as it deals with the regulation of online gambling activity for the purposes of consumer protection. It does not limit the operation of or access to these games.[7]

1.3        From the explanatory memorandum it appears that the effect of the proposed amendment is to rectify a situation under which persons gambling with virtual items 'are essentially betting with real currency but have no way to cash out their winnings as the game is not considered to be a "gambling service" under the Act.'[8]

1.4                  The committee considers that the bill does not appear to give rise to human rights concerns.

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