Charitable and non-profit gaming operates under the following legislation: Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999 Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Regulation 1999 Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Rule 2010. Advice for online gambling consumers. With today’s technology, gambling online is easy and accessible. But you should understand what protections you have as a consumer when using an online gambling service. Generally, Australian consumer law applies to any product or service you buy in Queensland or around Australia. Problem gambling is a serious public health issue that negatively affects individuals, families and communities. Self regulation and voluntary codes of conduct have failed to protect the public interest. Government should act to minimize exploitation and to help people overcome gambling problems by implementing evidenced based regulation.

(Adopted August 2014)

Principles

The Queensland Greens believe that:

1. Problem gambling is a serious public health issue that negatively affects individuals, families and communities.

2. Self regulation and voluntary codes of conduct have failed to protect the public interest. Government should act to minimize exploitation and to help people overcome gambling problems by implementing evidenced based regulation.

3. Government has a conflict of interest as regulator and taxing authority. This conflict has interfered with good governance.

4. The state budget should not depend on gambling revenue and it should be phased out as a revenue source.

5. No new casino licences should be issued in Queensland.

Aims

The Queensland Greens will:

1. Ensure there is a substantial reduction in the proportion of the population with gambling problems, by:

a. Poker machines set at a $1 bet limit per spin, $20 machine load up limits, $500 jackpot limits, as recommended by the Productivity Commission;

b. Improved voluntary pre-commitment and mandatory pre-commitment for high technology machines;

c. Capping cash winnings payable by machine at $100, and winnings payable by a cashier at $250, with additional winnings being payable only by cheque;

d. Ban on provision of cash withdrawal facilities and services at pokies venues;

e. Ban incentives to gamble, including free food and drink.

2. Is a systematic reduction in revenue derived from gambling, with set goals over time.

3. Introduce evidence based harm minimization and product safety measures to reduce the development of problem gambling and to assist gamblers to limit their expenditure.

4. Reform regulation and approval processes, including recognition and support for local Council and Community moratoriums on new gaming machines and gambling venues.

5. Introduce National Standards to avoid interstate 'competition' undermining proper regulation within states.

6. Establish a strong and genuinely independent statutory gambling regulator to minimise social and economic costs, and protect consumers and the public interest.

7. Reduce gambling promotion to children and in the media during children's viewing times. It should not be promoted at sporting events viewed by children.

8. Assess and address the full cost of gambling, including direct and indirect harm of problem gambling and gambling regulation, including the increased need for policing to address increased crime and money laundering.

9. Ban political donations from the gambling industry.

With today’s technology, gambling online is easy and accessible. But you should understand what protections you have as a consumer when using an online gambling service.

Generally, Australian consumer law applies to any product or service you buy in Queensland or around Australia. So, for example, it is illegal for businesses to:

• take unfair advantage of anything you don’t know or understand
• take advantage of a customer with a disability, impairment or low English-speaking skills
• claim to offer gifts, rebates or prizes and then not provide them
• offer gifts or benefits as an incentive to buy, but only if you refer another person to the business.

Online wagering providers based in Australia, as businesses that offer services, are also obliged to maintain your consumer rights, as well as meet their gaming licence requirements.

These providers are regulated in the state they are licensed in. In Queensland, the regulator is the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR).

Qld Gambling Legislation Rules

National framework to reduce harm for consumers

The national framework was introduced to protect you when placing bets through online providers based in Australia.

The federal and state governments have developed a set of standard minimum protections for online gamblers—the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering—which online wagering providers must follow.

Qld Gambling Legislation Act

These protections provide consistent, easy-to-use tools and information to ensure that consumers are receiving responsible service and are given better ways to control their gambling.

Read the fact sheet on the framework and its 10 measures for more information.

Complaints

If you have received irresponsible service of gambling from an online provider, talk to the business first to give them the opportunity to explain or investigate the issue.

Qld Gambling Legislation Definition

If they can’t give you a satisfactory response, you can make a complaint with the government agency that issued the provider’s licence—this should be displayed on the provider’s website.

Qld Gambling Legislation Meaning

In Queensland, the only licence holder for race and sports wagering is UBET QLD Limited.

Contact OLGR if you have an issue with UBET’s online wagering service or learn how to make a complaint when a gaming provider is not meeting their obligations.

Many other online wagering providers are licensed and regulated by the Northern Territory Government—see the list of sports bookmakers and betting exchange operators licensed in the Northern Territory.

If the provider is licensed in the Northern Territory, read about complaints and disputes at NT Consumer Affairs for more information about resolving your issue with the provider.