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Banned: CEO Outraged - 19th March 2009
(Credit:
Gambling911)
Following
leakage of an Australian "Ban List",
Betfair CEO Andrew Twaits expressed outraged with
government officials. Twaits was unaware that
his company's website had been blacklisted as
part of an effort to prevent viewing of child
pornography.
"We
didn't know [about the ban]. We've been licensed
to operate in Australia for three years and have
never received a complaint or any allegation that
Betfair locally or globally is not allowed usage
by Australians.
"The
global Betfair site is used by Australians every
day."
The
implications are enormous. Earlier today, Gambling911.com
reported on how the list of websites blacklisted
in Australia expanded to over 2300. These included
YouTube links and some Christian websites along
with online poker portals.
"We're
will the madness end? The report stats that Betfair
bas been banned in Australia! Is horse racing
betting, boxing betting and eating meat pies and
driving Holden Cars going to be banned also?"
asked Australian Media
Man Greg Tingle. "That's the direction
things are heading in.
"I
will repeat my thoughts on on a worldwide trend
when things get ‘banned'... Citizens (and
business) revolt and industries go underground,
sometimes generating more money, however the risks
increase and consumers and the industry no longer
enjoy the same safeguards as it becomes unregulated.
"In
addition, matters of insurance can becoming tricky,
as an insurance company may be hesitant to insure
a business sector which the government of the
day deems "illegal". I have a strong
suspicion some of the stuff the Australian government
is doing is actually illegal. As they say, the
law is an ass, and it appears that Australia has
too many jackasses in political office at the
moment."
Perhaps
Tingle was referring to The Minister for Broadband,
Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator
Stephen Conroy, who on Thursday condemned the
reported leak and publication of a list which
includes prohibited internet addresses.
"The
leak and publication of prohibited URLs is grossly
irresponsible. It undermines efforts to improve
cyber-safety and create a safe online environment
for children," Senator Conroy said.
"Under
existing laws the ACMA blacklist includes URLs
relating to child sexual abuse, rape, incest,
bestiality, sexual violence and detailed instruction
in crime."
"No-one
interested in cyber-safety would condone the leaking
of these addresses."
But
Tingle believes Conroy is doing more harm than
good with such assertions and attempts to censor.
"I
predict that these jackass submissions by government
are going to cause more problems than they cure".
Anna
Bligh accused to pandering to gambling giants,
by Renee Viellaris - 15th January 2009
(Credit:
The Courier-Mail)
The
Bligh Government has been accused of pandering
to online gambling giants as it moves to repeal
laws that stop advertising during televised sport.
It comes as Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser
has revealed the Government was not planning to
prosecute online betting giant Betfair for potentially
breaching state laws.
Mr
Fraser said he was also considering repealing
laws that allow potential legal action against
online betting agencies that advertise in Queensland.
But
Federal Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, who
has campaigned against gambling, yesterday called
on the Rudd Government to intervene.
The
issue emerged after a sponsorship was struck between
Channel 9 and Betfair, in which cricket commentators
quoted odds framed by Betfair during this year's
high-rating coverage.
It
could technically be in breach of Queensland's
Interactive Gambling (Player Protection) Act because
Betfair is not registered in the state and is
prohibited from advertising here.
However,
Mr Fraser said a cloud had been placed over Queensland's
laws after Betfair successfully challenged a West
Australian Government decision to prevent it from
operating.
"The
Government will, in coming months, be considering
legislative changes including repeal, required
because of the decision," Mr Fraser said.
"In
the meantime, the Government will not be pursuing
prosecutions under this provision until the matter
is resolved."
Senator
Xenophon said the court decision meant state governments
were being forced to "dismantle" laws
designed to protect consumers.
"It
is terribly disappointing that state governments
are going to have to rip up their own laws banning
this type of gambling advertising," he said.
"The
Commonwealth has the power to regulate advertising
like this. It could nip this problem in the bud
right now and I am urging them to do so.
"The
association between Betfair and the TV network
blurs the lines between a family-friendly activity
like sport and gambling, which is very much an
adult activity."
But
Betfair chief executive officer Andrew Twaits
dismissed Senator Xenophon's concerns and denied
the betting giant was breaching Queensland laws.
Mr
Twaits said Betfair did not operate like online
poker machine or casino sites, which he considered
to be the target of the Queensland Act.
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