A reported commissioned by the Australian Federal Government has found that Australians would benefit significantly from the present ban on online casinos being lifted, in favour of Federal Government oversight and regulation, with the main benefit being consumer protection.

The report released by the Australian Federal Productivity Commission studied the broad impact of gambling within Australian communities. The report went on to further question the legalities of a blanket ban on online casino gambling in Australia. It also raised serious concerns that not only is the ban ineffective and impossible to police, it leaves consumers vulnerable and unprotected.

Figures released by the Federal Commission found that although there was a total ban in place for online casino gambling, 4% of gambling came from online casinos alone. The figure quoted was also said to be rising at an alarming rate. The report was critical, saying that the ban left its citizens in danger of unscrupulous online casino operators with no Federal Government protection. The Federal Commission favoured lifting the ban and implementing a system of licensing, regulation and control.

The Commission’s report was scathing in its findings, saying that the Australian Government must give up on its failed ban, and set in place a system of licensing and regulation that would not only guard against problem gamblers and children, but prevent money laundering and fraud, in which online gambling is seen as a soft target.

Under the present system, online casino gambling is available to any Australian, 24 hours per day, and virtually allows gambling with zero restrictions, leaving those most vulnerable at the greatest risk.