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Date: 23/05/2000
By JOSEPH KERR
At least seven Internet gambling licences have been issued by States and Territories since the Federal Government declared a month ago that it would block new entrants.
Despite strong opposition from nearly all State gaming ministers in April, the Federal Government said it would introduce legislation to stop new Internet gambling licences being issued.
The 12-month moratorium started on May 19 - a month after it was originally proposed to begin.
At least seven new players have received licences - five in Tasmania and two in the ACT.
While Mr Kerry Packer's ecorp and PBL joint venture obtained one of the Tasmanian licences, his Crown Casino said it had been unable to get one because the Victorian Government had not started issuing them.
A spokesman for the Minister for Communications, Senator Alston, said in April that it was proposed the moratorium would start on April 19.
In a letter sent to gaming ministers on May 19, the Minister for Communications, Senator Alston, revealed that "the Commonwealth intends any such law it enacts [concerning a moratorium] would apply with effect from the date of this letter".
A spokesman for Senator Alston said the Government had decided to give the States "official notification ... to make it perfectly clear that it was going to take effect".
The ACT Treasurer, Mr Gary Humphries, revealed last Friday that his Government had issued two licences for Internet gaming in the intervening period - to Tattersalls and ACTTAB.
On Sunday, Tasmania's Deputy Premier, Mr Paul Lennon, revealed that five Internet gaming licences had been approved in his State since the original deadline - although he was not prepared to reveal the recipients.
The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Newman, yesterday attacked the approvals as "disgusting opportunism".
"These States have already got severe problems which they in their more sane moments will acknowledge," she said. "They have a very serious problem socially in their communities with poker machines."
A spokesman for the Victorian Gaming Minister, Mr John Pandazopoulos, said that although the licensing legislation had been through Parliament, it had not been proclaimed - so the Federal ban would block all Victorian entrants.
The Northern Territory, Western Australian and NSW are the only jurisdictions to support the Government's ban - although Western Australia wants to see the moratorium blocking only new gaming sites, such as online casinos, and not new sports wagering sites.
By JOSEPH KERR
At least seven Internet gambling licences have been issued by States and Territories since the Federal Government declared a month ago that it would block new entrants.
Despite strong opposition from nearly all State gaming ministers in April, the Federal Government said it would introduce legislation to stop new Internet gambling licences being issued.
The 12-month moratorium started on May 19 - a month after it was originally proposed to begin.
At least seven new players have received licences - five in Tasmania and two in the ACT.
While Mr Kerry Packer's ecorp and PBL joint venture obtained one of the Tasmanian licences, his Crown Casino said it had been unable to get one because the Victorian Government had not started issuing them.
A spokesman for the Minister for Communications, Senator Alston, said in April that it was proposed the moratorium would start on April 19.
In a letter sent to gaming ministers on May 19, the Minister for Communications, Senator Alston, revealed that "the Commonwealth intends any such law it enacts [concerning a moratorium] would apply with effect from the date of this letter".
A spokesman for Senator Alston said the Government had decided to give the States "official notification ... to make it perfectly clear that it was going to take effect".
The ACT Treasurer, Mr Gary Humphries, revealed last Friday that his Government had issued two licences for Internet gaming in the intervening period - to Tattersalls and ACTTAB.
On Sunday, Tasmania's Deputy Premier, Mr Paul Lennon, revealed that five Internet gaming licences had been approved in his State since the original deadline - although he was not prepared to reveal the recipients.
The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Newman, yesterday attacked the approvals as "disgusting opportunism".
"These States have already got severe problems which they in their more sane moments will acknowledge," she said. "They have a very serious problem socially in their communities with poker machines."
A spokesman for the Victorian Gaming Minister, Mr John Pandazopoulos, said that although the licensing legislation had been through Parliament, it had not been proclaimed - so the Federal ban would block all Victorian entrants.
The Northern Territory, Western Australian and NSW are the only jurisdictions to support the Government's ban - although Western Australia wants to see the moratorium blocking only new gaming sites, such as online casinos, and not new sports wagering sites.