Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker informed that the amendment introduced this week would make sure that the Gambling Act functions as planned. Minister Barker further explained that due to the complexity of the Act it has not come as a surprise that during its implementation a number of issues required improvement.

“The Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2) contains many technical amendments and some minor policy enhancements to clarify the law and remove any uncertainties,” the Minister told the press. The new provisions include broadening the appropriateness criteria for gaming machine operators so as to cover a wider variety of management prohibitions.

The Amendment also introduces requirements for the precise disclosure of non-cash prizes so as to protect consumers; extends conflict of interest safeguards to all the people involved in the decisions about gaming machine grants and enhances regulation powers for a better handling of problem gambling.

The Gambling Act, introduced on 1 July 2004, represented the biggest changes to the gambling industry in more than 20 years. It was created to control gambling and minimize its effects and make sure gambling profits were used to benefit the community.