Australian Gambling Device No; It's Just Technology, by Greg Tingle - 30th April 2010

Following our report on the 25th of the month, there's been some very important developments on the legal situation re the internet kiosks located in Australian pubs and hotels that Australia's Tabcorp called a "gambling device". The courts do not agree! Victory for VenueNet and Australian internet lovers... Media Man and Gambling911 with the story...

Today a computer terminal with internet access that gaming authorities claim is an "unauthorised instrument of betting", will be reinstalled! A computer being plugged back in is not normally so newsworthy, but because of the gaming, legal and political connection, it is, so there you go! Back to the pub from where you were seized, you good computer. The (kangaroo not) court ordered it, so hop to it son.

The manufacture of the device er machine, VenueNet, has a business arrangement with Darwin-based bookmaker Sportsbet to offer customers access to their betting accounts through the computer kiosk. The full details of the agreement are commercially sensitive in nature, but its a win-win (unless your a punter loosing).

VenueNet is hopeful the court's ruling will facilitate a planned roll out by the truck full of some 200 devices er machines.. up and down the east coast of Australia.
states.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation confiscated the device er machine from the Rising Sun Hotel in South Melbourne last August, after receiving a complaint from Aussie gaming and racing giant Tabcorp, which currently holds Victoria's exclusive retail wagering licence. Tabcorp are also the current owners of Star City Casino in Sydney (which James Packer of Crown is rumored to have an interest in... a deal once stopped by his late farther Kerry, close to a decade ago).

The 'Kiosk Case' as its now known as in gaming circles is seen as being a test of Australian gambling and igaming laws that have failed miserably to keep pace with technology and has raised doubts about the value of the Victorian wagering licence, which is up for tender. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Senator Stephen Conroy take note "failed miserably"..."raised doubts"... its the Kiosk Case, not the Aussie internet filter case, with an exciting update on that in a day or two.

Media Man is pleased that at least the government hasn't given Aussies or the press the silent treatment on this one. Rebecca Harrison, spokeswoman for Gaming Minister Tony Robinson, goes on record "The government believes that our current laws are appropriate to protect the integrity of the wagering licence." Bec, what did the court just rule with?! Next the Australian government will tell us their laws (sometimes made up on the run to suit their agenda) overshadow human rights laws, or did they try that stunt already.

VenueNet chair Mr John Thompson advised his firm would wait until next week before turning the sorely missed machine on, when the company was confident no charges could be laid.

The government continues its own fun and games (costing Australian business lost productivity and stress)...the commission said that deadline was still two months away!

Food for thought as the battle between man, machine and government robots continue...

"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man" (Elbert Hubbard)... and another rip snorter from Elbert... "To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing"... on that point we overheard a Media Man insider whisper "Ten great years of bad spelling mistakes. Gambling911... I love it".

Punters, know the odds and have fun, as the battle between man, machine and government robots heats up. In keeping with the theme, gamers may like to check out The Terminator, a PartyGaming - PartyCasino number. Virgin Games also have 'Transformers', but Aussies and Americans can't currently access Virgin Casino. Available on all good Aussie, Canadian and South African internet kiosks, home computers and internet cafes! Time to leave you to your own devices.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company

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