AGED Care Minister Ken Wyatt is supporting a Federal Government ban on unofficial lotteries and keno games.
“The Government has formed the view that permitting betting on these services, also known as ‘synthetic’ lotteries, undermines the long-standing community acceptance of official lottery and keno products,” he said.
Mr Wyatt said official lottery and keno products generate income for newsagents, pharmacies, pubs and community clubs, and contribute through licence fees and taxation to local services of state and territory governments.
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READ NOW“It’s important that lottery and keno products benefit the community and our new legislation will ensure that continues to be the case,” he said.
Community groups last year raised concerns with the Government about online betting products on lottery outcomes.
Mr Wyatt said while many people enjoy recreational betting, the Government must ensure gambling takes place under a robust legislative framework with strong consumer protections, within the boundaries of community standards.
The legislation will be effective six months after passage through Parliament to ensure businesses currently offering online betting on lotteries and keno have a transition period within which to stop trading.
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