Murray MP Helen Dalton believes it’s “only a matter of time” before the bill becomes law. Photo: Supplied.
Independent MP for Murray Helen Dalton has slammed the major parties for “running a protection racket”, following their decision to dismiss a bill that would force gambling companies to return stolen money to victims.
The Return of Proceeds of Crime (Gambling Companies) Bill 2024 introduced by Mrs Dalton would require gambling companies to return money obtained illegally to victims if a court ruled that they had received the proceeds of crime.
Mrs Dalton said it was “absolutely unjustified” that companies like Ladbrokes, TAB and Sportsbet were allowed to keep the money.
“I think this just highlights how powerful they are,” she said.
“The government won’t even support giving back the money to the victims.
“Labor’s debate in parliament was just about how much they had done, that they’ve restricted or taken the VIP signs.
“[They] didn’t even touch on the fact to give the money back. You have to ask: ‘Is the government running a protection racket for those people?’.
“I think they’d have to be.”
In 2018, a 27-year-old assistant financial accountant from Tasmania stole $292,955 to fund a gambling addiction. The stolen money went into a Sportsbet account and he was issued with compensation orders, but Sportsbet kept the money.
In 2021, a 48-year-old Tasmanian woman stole $940,221 from the veterinary practice where she worked. She spent the money playing a social casino game owned by Aristocrat Leisure, Australia’s largest poker machine manufacturer, through Facebook, who took a 30 per cent cut for each transaction. Aristocrat Leisure and Facebook kept the money.
In 2023, Money Management reported that three financial advisors were facing criminal proceedings for gambling with clients’ money. The total amount spent on gambling was over $5.5 million.
“The victims of these crimes have got to suck it up,” Mrs Dalton said.
NSW is home to the most number of gaming machines in Australia and is only second to Nevada, with IBIS World suggesting that there are about 89,000 machines.
Region asked Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris whether he supported the bill and what kind of support system was in place for victims who had their money stolen for gambling, but did not receive a response.
“I think it’s gone on too long, and society is starting to become aware of what’s going on,” Mrs Dalton said.
In her speech in parliament, she cited a report from South Australia that claimed 50 per cent of gamblers in that state admitted to gambling with proceeds of crime.
She has support from other MPs in Victoria and Tasmania and believes it’s “only a matter of time”.
“The gambling companies are supposed to keep an eye on gamblers and make sure that everything’s all right,” she said.
“We won’t be giving up.
“We’ll reintroduce the bill again and again until they admit that they should change the law.”
