Ex-Senator Conroy to lobby for Australia Gambling Laws

Former Senator Stephen Conroy heads RWA

Australia gambling laws have been under intense scrutiny lately. Political factions are pushing hard for everything from an enforceable prohibition against offshore internet casinos, to greatly minimizing the nation’s beloved pokies machines. On Wednesday, a new lobbying group joined the foray, and it’s being headed by someone very familiar with the territory.

The group is called Responsible Wagering Australia, and they’ve secured the veteran expertise and ingenuity of Stephen Conroy to fill the role of Executive Director.

Conroy is a former Senator and Victorian ALP powerbroker. His experience is extensive, having dealt directly with Australia gambling laws during his time as Minister for Broadband, overseeing the nation’s digital economy.

After a 20-year career in parliament, Sen. Conroy quite unexpectedly stepped down from his political role in September. His own colleagues were stunned by the decision, and especially the timing, as he was a mere two weeks into his most recent 6-year election win.

In a quiet and succinct resignation speech, he said he wants to focus more on his family and hinted at an upcoming business venture. Whether heading up Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) was the plan all along is unknown.

Current Members of the RWA

Formally announced on Wednesday, the RWA already consists of several strong members, including some of Australia’s largest bookmakers – Bet365, Betfair, CrownBet, Sportsbet and Unibet.

It’s not a one-sided affair, either. Conroy is joined in his high-ranking position by opposition leader Richard Colbeck, a former Liberal Senator. Colbek has been named Chairman of the RWA, and will ensure that all points of view are thoroughly vetted before taking the group takes any lobbyist action.

RWA to Support Gambling Reform

The lobbying group said yesterday it was “founded on a shared objective of ensuring that Australia has the best-conducted, socially responsible wagering industry in the world.” With that goal in mind, the RWA has vowed to support the government in various efforts to reform Australia gambling laws.

The group is backing Australia’s plan to eliminate credit betting from the market. They are also in support of stricter regulations for gambling advertisements, including a measure recently introduced in Victoria that would ban wagering ads from appearing on public transportation and related infrastructure.

The RWA also favors the amendment tabled by Human Services Minister Alan Tudge that would alter Australian gambling laws to formally prohibit offshore gambling operators from accessing the Australian market without a licence. Those who do obtain a licence would be restricted to supplying only legal forms of betting, which excludes online casino and poker games.

Common Goal for Conroy & Colbeck

Conroy left the political limelight partly to protect his 9 year old daughter from hearing her father’s name bashed by rival constituents.

This time around, he’ll be working behind the scenes, and says he’s “looking forward to working closely and co-operatively with the Australian government on their consumer protection agenda. We share their objectives and we are determined to engage constructively to make it work.”

Colbeck issued a similar statement, saying, “Responsible wagering lies at the heart of many Australians’ enjoyment of their racing and sporting interests. Responsible Wagering Australia is committed to meeting that need with the highest standards of consumer protection, integrity and harm minimisation.”