Mobile Phone Gambling
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: I ask the Minister for Primary Industries, representing the Minister for Gaming and Racing, a question without notice. Is the Minister aware that international gambling conglomerates wish to introduce mobile phone betting games and lotteries into Australia to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Is the Minister aware that the second-largest gambling conglomerate in the world, Intralot, has applied for a lottery licence in Victoria already, and seeks to establish around-the-clock mobile phone gambling as a way of boosting the participation of young Australians in gaming and lotteries? Does the Minister consider the protection of young people more important than introducing yet another more convenient and dangerous form of gambling? Will the Minister disallow any lottery licence in New South Wales that seeks to introduce mobile phone gambling?
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: The obvious answer is that I will refer this question to the Minister for Gaming and Racing.
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The Hon. GRANT MCBRIDE: I am aware of media reports indicating that Intralot has expressed an interest in expanding its gaming operations into Australia.
I understand that the Victorian Government is currently undergoing a tender process for public lottery licences. Details regarding organisations that have applied have not been released.
The protection of young people is paramount. That is why the Government has no intention of allowing any new or existing public lottery licensee in New South Wales to provide gambling or lotteries on mobile phones.
