Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, , 8:56:31 to 9:08:47
Officials outline the implementation of the BetStop register and new powers to regulate illegal gambling advertisements on digital platforms, including proactive take-down requirements for infrastructure services.
Topics: Government IT systems, Law reform
Speakers: Unknown Speaker, Senator The Hon Sarah Henderson, Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, Ms Rochelle Zurnamer, Senator Varun Ghosh
regulatory requirements and impositions on ACMA.
Senator, I have a wide range of information in regard to the implementation pathway for those new responsibilities. So I'll start on ABSTOP. Uh what we're looking at at the moment, which we'll be doing over the coming weeks before 1 January 2027 is we're scoping the design of the register, um, we're looking, we've established our internal governance arrangements, we're developing our approach to market and the register rules. And then early next year we'll be looking at um obviously going to the market to um build and operate the register, doing all the contractual stuff, making the register rules, and then we also have to do cost recovery arrangements. So there's a broad range of tasks, they are well advanced. Um the uh commencement date uh for the register will be uh by proclamation by the minister, but it has to be done by the end of 2027. But I'll pass to Ms. Mudford who may want to add anything to that? So that's on the register? Yep. So work as well advanced.
Uh could you all notice give us an update on all of the changes that have been made because they impose various obligations?
Senator I'm I'm quite happy to do that. We've got a comprehensive list of all the things we need to do by 1 January, all the things we can do after that across the gambling advertising restrictions, the commissions, the inducements, um the improvements to bet stop and illegal gambling. So it may I think be easier if we just take that on notice for you.
That would be terrific.
A comprehensive update.
If you could take that on notice and provide us with a detailed overview of your work. One thing that I did want to ask, um, how are you progressing in terms of the new powers that you have to require publishers to ensure that they are only publishing ads from registered wagering providers, and of course, not illegal casinos and other illegal betting ads.
Senator Um licensed wagering um sorry, broadcasters and um legitimate streaming services no not to uh publish illegal gambling ads. But there are some illegal gambling ads that are published on some platforms.
That's right.
And in those cases, we have a very good working relationship with Google Meta who will take down many of those ads if they contravene their terms of service. And we've had a lot of um contravening material taken down that way.
And well, it's not just terms of service, it will be obviously in breach.
Of our legislation, yes.
As a result of the work the coalition did, I have to say, in improving the gambling bill when it was before the parliament. Uh have you investigated technology which requires the platforms to automate the taking down of these ads because the proliferation of illegal ads on the digital platforms is. Enormous.
Senator, um, as you will be aware, part of the changes that are coming in through the gambling reform act will be to require infrastructure services to take proactive steps to prevent their services from being used to access illegal services and gambling illegal gambling advertising. As part of that, um we have had some engagement with those platforms. Um I am not aware that um we've gone into the specifics about technology, but we will consider uh reasonable steps on a case by case basis in relation to those.
If you could update me on that work as well, certainly I would be most grateful. Uh look, I think at that stage I have other questions, but I will place them on notice and thank you very much for your attendance today, and Chair, thank you.
Thank you. Uh well, on that note, we thank you for your appearance here today and all the work that goes into preparing for estimates hearings. Uh you go with the committee's thanks. I'd now like to see we'll just suspend for a moment um while we wait for the officers