Independent MP for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has called for stronger and faster action to curb online gambling, saying Australians need to shed the title of ‘biggest losers’.

She has welcomed a federal government announcement of legislation to ban credit card use in online interactive gambling, but says more must be done.

Ms Sharkie says the proposed legislation mirrors her Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit Card Ban and Acknowledgement of Losses) Bill 2023 introduced on 27 March.

Her bill calls for immediate legislative change to close the loophole and ban the use of credit cards through online interactive gambling platforms.

“Sadly, Australia wins the title of the biggest losers when it comes to gambling,” Ms Sharkie says. 

“Per capita, we are the world’s biggest losers. With online betting, it is now possible to sit in your home and gamble away your home.”

“I welcome the Government’s announcement that it will introduce legislation to ban gambling on credit cards this year, but I say to the Minister, there is not a moment to lose, this doesn’t need months to implement, there is a bill, my bill on the floor of the Parliament right now, let’s just get this done.

“We know that people suffering gambling harm are more than four times more likely to be using credit to gamble. That is why we must ban the use of credit cards when gambling online and over the telephone immediately.

“Every day we don’t act, is a day that the harm continues. People are betting with money they don’t own and then paying 20 per cent interest for the privilege.

“This must be the first of many measures to curb the harm caused by gambling, we need to lose the global title of being the ‘nation of the biggest losers’ I now ask the Government to support my other introduced bill requiring gambling apps to send push notifications of how much has been lost every time a person opens the app.”

“Further, I am seeking the Government’s support for my bill to ban gambling advertising on television, radio and online. 

“Online gambling advertising is at saturation point and it causes real harm. Enough is enough, it’s time we treated gambling advertising like cigarette advertising.”