The WA government supports online wagering for the TAB and racing industry, but faces challenges due to the federal government's proposed ban and the difficulty of differentiating between types of online gambling.

AnsweredQoN 90Legislative Council
Asked
24 May 2001
Portfolio
Racing and Gaming

QuestionView source ↗

I refer the minister to his answer to the dorothy dixer a moment ago concerning the Senate inquiry into Internet gambling.  Does the minister support the playing of casino-style games on the Internet?  If he does not, how does he propose to prevent this type of gambling on the Internet but still allow wagering to be conducted on the Internet? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS

AnswerView source ↗

The State Government wants wagering to take place on the Internet.  It is important to the Totalisator Agency Board and to the Western Australian racing industry.  The federal Government is proposing to outlaw that.  It is difficult to answer a question about mechanisms to prevent one form of gambling on the Internet, but to permit wagering on the Internet.  The member who asked the question is well aware of the fact that the Commonwealth Government has been examining the matter for some time, and is still examining it.  I am interested to hear how the Commonwealth Government proposes to prevent any form of gambling on the Internet other than by adopting a King Canute stance and saying, “Stop it.”
Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: The State Government wants wagering to take place on the Internet.  It is important to the Totalisator Agency Board and to the Western Australian racing industry.  The federal Government is proposing to outlaw that.  It is difficult to answer a question about mechanisms to prevent one form of gambling on the Internet, but to permit wagering on the Internet.  The member who asked the question is well aware of the fact that the Commonwealth Government has been examining the matter for some time, and is still examining it.  I am interested to hear how the Commonwealth Government proposes to prevent any form of gambling on the Internet other than by adopting a King Canute stance and saying, “Stop it.”
The State Government wants wagering to take place on the Internet.  It is important to the Totalisator Agency Board and to the Western Australian racing industry.  The federal Government is proposing to outlaw that.  It is difficult to answer a question about mechanisms to prevent one form of gambling on the Internet, but to permit wagering on the Internet.  The member who asked the question is well aware of the fact that the Commonwealth Government has been examining the matter for some time, and is still examining it.  I am interested to hear how the Commonwealth Government proposes to prevent any form of gambling on the Internet other than by adopting a King Canute stance and saying, “Stop it.”

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