Australia Cracks Down on Online Gambling With Credit Card Ban

The Australian government is taking a hard line against internet wagering by prohibiting the use of credit cards for bets. This action brings online gambling rules in line with existing regulations for brick-and-mortar casinos and gaming establishments, where credit card usage is already limited.

The administration intends to execute this prohibition by utilizing bank identification numbers (BINs), which are already employed to block credit card cash withdrawals from ATMs in various locations, including casinos. This method will effectively stop gamblers from using credit cards to fund their online betting accounts.

The law, anticipated to be presented later this year, is based on the effectiveness of comparable actions in the United Kingdom, which has observed a decrease in compulsive gambling following its own credit card prohibition. This choice highlights the Australian government’s dedication to responsible gaming and safeguarding its populace from the dangers connected with gambling-related debt.

A new Tabcorp poll showed that a sizable segment of their clientele, specifically 13.7%, utilized credit cards for gambling funding in the previous fiscal year. This finding ignited demands for change, with organizations like the Alliance for Gambling Reform praising any action to limit the use of credit cards for internet wagers.

Carol Bennett, a prominent figure within the Alliance, deemed it a vital measure in reducing the detrimental effects linked to online gambling. She emphasized the worrying pattern of at-risk individuals spiraling into debt, driven by readily available credit for wagering.