| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 |  | | | Victorian Government Reviews Gambling Licenses
- Monday, 8 May 2006
As the federal government in Australia casts its eye toward toughening the country’s existing gambling legislation, the state of Victoria has set its sight on gambling licenses. Currently subject to review, new decisions on licensing are expected to have serious consequences for the gambling industry from 2012.
Several community groups and gambling support organisations have joined forces to deliver their final statements in the review, after concern about gambling activities reached critical level last month. Advocate Andrew Manning has stated that the submissions being lodged this week are indicative of the widespread concerns many in the community feel about gambling. According to Manning, Victorian gambling fans lost an estimated $2.35 billion on poker machines in the previous financial year.
As a result of the continual lobbying against the gambling industry, the Victorian state government has decided to broaden its policies on forms of gambling to include poker machines as well as gaming at online casinos. Final statements from concerned community groups have urged the government to address social issues caused by gambling, along with protection issues and consumer rights. Details on the new policies are not expected for some time, however analysts predict tough new measures could draw inspiration from the U.S. government’s renowned anti-gambling approach.
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