Australia’s online gamblers could find themselves unable to use credit cards to fund their wagering if the banking industry adopts the findings of a new report. 

One year ago, the Australian Banking Association (ABA) announced a consultation to solicit community views on the use of credit cards for gambling transactions. The findings of that consultation have now been released and they could spell trouble for the country’s online betting licensees. 

The Every Customer Counts report is based on 40 written submissions from betting operators, gambling counsellors, consumer advocates, academics and government agencies, along with 813 individuals who responded to the short-form web survey.

Most of these responses came down firmly on the side of prohibiting credit card-based gambling, with the report noting the prevailing view that “the associated risks were considered to significantly outweigh any potential benefits for customers, especially for vulnerable populations.”