Some of Australia’s biggest online gambling operators are coming out in support of a measure that would ban the use of credit cards on their sites. It’s a significant move that will certainly impact their bottom lines, but it’s also a move that seems inevitable given the political climate Down Under.
Though they were initially reluctant to support the credit card ban proposal, for obvious reasons, name-brand online gambling operators such as bet365, Betfair, Entain and Sportsbet have all changed their tune in recent days. The operators are all members of Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), an industry trade group aimed at combating problem gambling.
RWA Chief Executive, Brent Jackson, bluntly stated the change of heart saying, “As a policy-based body we want to achieve the best outcome for consumer protection. We think that the best way of achieving this is by committing to transparent discussion and actively working with stakeholders to make sure we provide the best outcomes.
“Australia’s major online wagering operators will support development of measures to prohibit credit card wagering.”
Though Jackson is certainly sincere, Australia’s online gambling leaders are merely staying ahead of what is an inevitable ban on the use of credit cards on their sites. Australia’s big banks are already considering the same action, while Bank Australia has already instituted a ban of their own, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
When the ban will go into place is unclear but the online gambling operators of the RWA have pledged to work with government officials and banking leaders to institute the ban.