Law Enforcement and Gaming Business in Australia - Case Study Example

Law Enforcement and Gaming Business in Australia Name: Institution: Professor: Course: Date of Submission: Law Enforcement and Gaming Business in Australia Introduction In the last two decades, western countries have witnessed a huge expansion in commercial gambling. A steady liberalization of once tight controls in the industry has led to increased availability, participation and expenditure, and ultimately improved growth in this industry as a whole. The business growth has been particularly strong in command where electronic gaming machines and modernized urban casinos have been introduced. According to Carlisle, 2009, pg 23) Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and United States are part of the countries widely reported to have embraced the practice. Many people in this nation view gambling as a form entertainment. For example, the Australian Acts covering game packages on casinos, social and permitted gaming, consists of particular reflective attributes in support of the gaming activity. The gambling practices in Australia’s society are unanimously appreciated as it is referred to as a ‘nation of gamblers’. The game is widely promoted by media among other popular literature. Unlike many western nations government, the Australian government has actively promoted a diverse when it concerns legal gambling. Gambling has a crucial distinct place in Australian culture. This is part of their culture that has been existent since the first colonial settlers. Gambling is widely spread in Australia, and the Australian citizens are proud of this reputation. On average, an estimated 90% of Australian’s gamble what ever it takes from a sweep on the Melbourne cup to cock fighting or even frog jumbling among the remote parts of the nation (Law Book Company, 2001, p.18). Policy Contradiction Part of gambling is punishable basically in maintaining and upholding public morality, while gambling of other people is legalized purposefully aimed to collect revenue. This contradiction is sharpened by a varied form of monopoly, this initiative set by government as it would rarely allow gambling business to operate in competitive market (Carlisle, 2009, pg.53). Restricted gambling serve objectively in limiting the extent of gambling behavior thereby controlling the social costs associated with this form of business, considering that monopolists intension are developed to restrict supply in the defined market while initiating huge profits for the service provider. Again while the monopoly activities are considered socially inefficient, it develops desired results to the law makers. The fraud and excessive gambling regulatory are put in place to ensure fair deal as it helps consumers in protecting as well as monitoring public morality. This serves as an important motivator in reducing completion in gambling practices. For in the United States monopoly public provision in concern to the lottery gambling is established to basically control fraud and corruption measures. On the contrary, regulating the fairness of the games, while imposing measures to ensure probity of business serves the interests of consumers, business holders and treasuries, this gives a difficult task in establishing in whose interest the government is acting while regulating gambling. For instance, the regulatory policy of casino ownership and management is interested in protecting industries rather than consumers (Carlisle, 2009, pg.28). This reduces the risk involved in gambling through customer protection directive which were expected to expand the consumer marketplace in the gambling business. The Social Benefits of Gambling In Australian Society Gambling is considered to other similar recreational activities. For many who participate in gambling do it voluntarily in return receiving inherent benefits from this service, for instance, consumer who gamble for entertainment reasons would purchase in the same way they would purchase concert tickets. According to Carlisle (2009, p.33), many considered this as a relatively harmless form of entertainment, which provides recreational outlet for those willing to engage in this for of practice. This activity might be exciting and socially engaging, for those who enjoy taking risks. The tendency in the risk associated with this kind of activities may be both stimulating and challenging, participants when stimulated by the estimated potential wins and losses. This is occasionally witnessed in sports betting and horse racing. The overall view reveals that people involve in gaming for varied reasons. This might include, break from their daily lives, challenge of beating the odds or even the thrill of the chase. Despite the restrictive legal Acts and strong opposition from those against evils of this gambling, the Australian’s passion for this game has survived. Each state in the country has a proliferation of various forms of gambling. Those involved outlays millions of dollars on horses, lotteries and casinos among other games. The gambling craving has grown immensely such that on a single Saturday gamblers can spend a minimum of $ 90 millions (Carlisle, 2009, pg.68-69). In spite of the legitimacy and many forms that legal gambling enjoy in Australia, the business operators faces a huge illegal starting price. The failure by the legal framework and law enforcement agencies in determining the gamblers participation in illegal gambling is described by various royal commissions and inquiries. This is developed and it concerns increasing forms of criminal offense activity which are reportedly triggered by illegal gambling activities. For instance, the western Australians Act that was initiated in 1892, provides that business premises are considered a common gaming house if established at playing game, and that financial institution are placed there by either one or many of the players, or in a manner that excluded others. There are reports, indicating the behavior earned from gambling, with some people developing a progressive disorder resulting from continuous loss of control over gambling. The pathological gamblers are unable to overcome solvency or provide basic support for them selves and their families. For cases where individuals borrowing resources are strained, it may lead to him or her resulting to an antisocial behavior in obtaining funds (Law Book Company, 2001, p.11). The Unlawful Instruments of Gaming Part of the amusement arcades has initiated arcade games that are very similar to gaming machines. There are growing concerns in the Australian community as issues raised on arcade games are associated to gaming activities, which may include a) Provision of unlawful gaming services to the public b) The public considers this to be inappropriate act c) Develops a pathway initiating a gambling behavior The report seeks to reveal clear aspects of unlawful traits and practices associated in this kind of games which are perceived as unlawful instruments of gaming. In addition, it aims to develop a more guidance needed in the industry basically aimed at reducing the risks of minors being exposed to gambling within the Australian society. The law makers in this ‘gamblers nation’ have an intention of protecting the clients. This is achieved through measures ruling out purpose of not prohibiting all gambling games, but rather making a clear distinction on games that are lawful and those that are unlawful. For instance, in South Australia coin-operated toys usually found in shopping centres is considered inconsequential and pose no risk in gambling. However, illegal forms of gaming flourished across the country, as it became clear that restricted gambling was an ineffective measure in limiting gaming (Carlisle, 2009, pg.66). This further so the development of subsequent gaming laws, which recognized the overwhelming public desire for access in gaming activities but rather designed modalities of regulating the manner in which gambling activities were taken essentially to protect the rights of clients for the service providers. Legal forms for this lottery business were not issued for commercial reasons. Similarly the subsequent governments have embraced this value, by excluding lottery business that is conducted for business purpose rather than for the public gain (Law Book Company, 2001). The lottery control Act, is proclaimed to have been a response aimed at reducing private lottery activities. Carlisle (2009, pg.77),found out that the number of reported cases concerning malpractice and fraud cases found in connection with lottery increased public concerns. In enforcing the law, the lotteries under this law, business holder had responsibility in raising funds meant to support charitable programs, as well as legal permits in conducting lotteries on private basis. This amendment granted the regulatory commission unregulated powers to grant or deny application to appropriate organizations without prior reference to the minister. Merchandised Games A variation on the redemption games shows that there are similar examples of redemption games that do operate like gaming machine. These games were removed from the venue in 2010, by the South Australian lawmakers. According to the legislative framework stipulated under the gaming machine Act of 1992, arcade and other electronic games are restricted under this provision. In this law the gaming machine are considered to any device designed or adapted objectively for gambling activities through playing game of chance or combination of chance and skill. This form of machines are highly regulated in this region and may only be approved to licensed gaming venues, considering that the venue posses adequate gaming machine entitlements (Carlisle, 2009, pg.125). Growth of Interactive Gambling Services and Public Safety Over the years there is a reported steady increase of interactive gambling activities within Australia and overseas since the enactment of the gambling Act in 2001. Since it was introduced, the IGA has undoubtedly achieved its indented objectives in preventing the proliferation of additional internet gambling licenses based in Australia. Wagering for instance, appears to be among the internet lottery that has recently been widely practiced among the Australian community. Many licensed Australian business providers have encouraged clients in adopting and appreciating online gambling rather than internet gambling, objectively saving on costs and boosting the profit margins (Law Book Company, 2001, p.33). There legal codes of practice defining the gambling code of practice. The code is divided into categories, including co-regulatory codes, mandatory codes and self-regulatory. The monetary codes are part of legislated laws that are enforced into action by law government agencies. This is different from the voluntary or self-regulated codes which are developed with intents that they are enforced by the industry player. In some Australian states, the development and implementation of set of laws is acknowledged as required by law. On the contrary, the administration of this content and overall management of the law fully driven by the industry players, with few requirements necessitating influence implementation regulated by NT, south Australia, ACT and the Queensland, they all have a regulatory code contrary to other states that rely on self-regulatory codes in enforcing these laws. Technological development relevant to regulating this form of interactive gambling service, and developing continuous support on broad finding on attractive gambling of the productivity commission (Law Book Company, 2001,p.21). Conclusion It is time for gaming and amusement sector all over the Australian nation to move from the old traditional coin-operated amusement machines and rather adopt new forms of entertainment. Since, the nation industry regulatory policies have highlighted poor state of evidence used to justify policy decisions. For years, the public has witnessed continued uncertainties on which gambling regulation policies would effectively eliminate harm associated with gaming activities. This partly testifies to presence of insufficient policy focus research over the past years. It is particularly important that consumers and community education remains a fundamental strategy in developing informed choice. References: Carlisle, R. P. ( 2009). Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society, Volume 1. London: SAGE Publishers. Law Book Company. (2001). Australian legal monthly digest. New York: The Law Book Co. Read More