Queensland’s state government has tabled legislation which will govern the operation of Internet-based casinos. Deputy Premier and Treasurer Joan Sheldon hopes to license and regulate the on-line gaming houses and protect the gambling public. By licensing operators, the Government is saying to players: ‘you will not be conned here’ and my advice to players would be to stick clear of the ‘wild west’ of Internet gambling, Sheldon said. There are believed to be around one hundred online gaming sites worldwide, where punters can risk losing both stakes and winnings. Queensland’s legislation will not protect players using these sites, but will make it safe to gamble on government-licensed sites. Some Queensland casinos have exclusive rights over the playing of particular games in certain geographical areas. How the new legislation will deal with demarcation issues arising between these established casinos and their online brethren is yet to be decided.
