Australia High Court Rules In Favor of Online Gambling, Betfair

Australia may have just opened the doors to full fledged online gambling in the country. An Australian High Court ruling was in favor of Betfair, a global online gambling agency.

Western Australia was trying to pass legislation that would have banned Betfair, but the High Court ruled against that legislation, in a decision that could open the door to widespread online gambling.

Not much can be done these days to keep people from spending their hard earned extra money gambling online. Several countries have loosened their stance on online gambling, with the U.S. on the verge of passing legislation to regulate the industry.

The High Court in Australia ruled that the ban on Betfair contravened section 92 of the constitution by imposing protectionist burdens on interstate trade.

The ruling means that Northern Territory bookmakers could soon be advertising in Victoria and NSW, according to gambling law expert, Jamie Nettleton.

The ruling also keeps the worldwide momentum going that has been generated for the online gambling industry. "It's an inevitable consequence that they probably will be (allowed) in every state across the country," said Barrie Fletton, Tatts Group Wagering Chief.

March 27, 2008
Posted By Bob Hartman
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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