Gambling red flag system under fire as 'Dracula in charge'
A plan to create a red flag system that tags customers showing signs of problem gambling is labelled weak by advocates.
Australian wagering companies will now be responsible for identifying customers displaying signs of problem gambling and ceasing to send them promotional inducements. This new red flag inducement system, which critics have compared to placing "Dracula in charge of a blood bank," is expected to pass the Senate with the support of the Coalition this week.
The federal government's gambling ad crackdown, which passed the lower house on Tuesday, is anticipated to clear the Senate by the parliament sitting week's end following a deal between Labor and the Coalition. The government will create a red flag system through regulation, with the Australian Media Communications Authority (ACMA) overseeing enforcement and handling complaints.
The plan requires companies to tag customers showing signs of problem gambling and halt the sending of promotions to those individuals. Detailed criteria for the red flag system will be developed in the coming months, using existing evidence and research on gambling patterns such as betting frequency and amount. Opposition MP Andrew Wallace expressed distrust in gambling companies to identify vulnerable customers, calling the system insufficient. Nevertheless, the move is viewed as a significant reform by supporters.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
