Skye Kakoschke-Moore (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

() (): by leave—I move Nick Xenophon Team amendments (1) to (6) on sheet 8046 together:

(1) Schedule 1, item 7, page 5 (after line 21), after the definition of designated interactive gambling service, insert:

electronic betting terminals means electronic equipment that is:

(a) installed on a permanent or fixed basis at a place where gambling services are provided; and

(b) located in an area that is set aside for gambling services and under the continual supervision of the provider; and

(c) unable to connect to the internet; and

(d) available for use only by customers using cash or a card issued by the provider.

[Note: The definition of " electronic equipment " has not been removed because it is used in the definition of " electronic betting terminals " .]

(2) Schedule 1, item 27, page 11 (lines 32 and 33), omit "electronic equipment", substitute "electronic betting terminals".

(3) Schedule 1, item 27, page 12 (line 1), omit "electronic equipment is", substitute "electronic betting terminals are".

(4) Schedule 1, item 27, page 12 (lines 19 and 20), omit "electronic equipment", substitute "electronic betting terminals".

(5) Schedule 1, item 27, page 12 (line 22), omit "electronic equipment is", substitute "electronic betting terminals are".

(6) Schedule 1, item 27, page 12 (line 24), omit "electronic equipment is", substitute "electronic betting terminals are".

It is the view of the Nick Xenophon Team that the bill as it is currently drafted will increase the opportunities for in-play betting in TABs, clubs and licensed premises. This goes against the intention of the government's bill. Indeed, the Department of Communications and the Arts admitted that the definition of electronic equipment within the bill could include smartphones and tablets. They also admitted that they have done no analysis or modelling of whether this will increase the effects of problem gambling.

Consequently, the amendments on sheet 8046 narrow the definition of electronic equipment and make it clear that electronic equipment will instead be defined as an electronic betting terminal which is installed on a permanent or fixed basis at a place where gambling services are provided, is unable to be connected to the internet in a designated supervised area and is available for the use only of customers using cash or a card issued by the provider.

This definition will limit in-play betting to electronic betting terminals to ensure that gambling operators do not seek to expand their operations by allowing people to place in-play bets using tablets or smartphones provided by the venue. These terminals are permanent installations located in a specific area set aside for gambling and are unable to be connected to the internet. We put that if the government is sincere in its intent to clamp down on in-play sports betting it should not be enabling venues to hand out tablets and smartphones to its customers. Therefore, we encourage the Senate to support the amendments on sheet 8046, which will put a stop to this harmful practice.