NT: Lasseters urges Howard to regulate, not ban Online gambling

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-1999
NT: Lasseters urges Howard to regulate, not ban Online gambling

Northern Territory-based Internet casino Lasseters Online has called on the federal
government to regulate, rather than ban, internet gambling.

The call is in response to Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD'S promise today to look into
outlawing internet gambling.

Mr HOWARD said a newly-formed ministerial gaming council, charged with stopping the
expansion of gambling and combating problem gambling, would decide whether it was feasible
to ban gambling on the internet.

Lasseters Online is one of a handful of internet gambling operations in the Northern
Territory which could be affected by any decision to ban internet gambling.

Chief executive PETER BRIDGE has called on the new council to take a long and rational
view of the on-line gaming business, saying it's a reality here and overseas.

Another internet operator, the general manager of Alice Springs-based Centre Bet, TERRY
LILLIS, says he doesn't believe Mr HOWARD will ban internet gambling.

And one NT government source says banning internet gambling would simply turn gamblers
to unregulated operations overseas.

AAP RTV cm/jn

KEYWORD: GAMBLING REACTION (DARWIN)

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