In this newsletter, we address the implications of the report of the recent inquiry into online and interactive gambling conducted by the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform on both the Australian wagering sector and the regulation of online gaming in Australia.

Also included are some comments on the impact of cloud computing on the online gambling sector. Although widely considered in connection with other industry sectors, this article considers the ramifications of the cloud for the gambling sector.

Finally, we have been asked on a number of occasions about the legal treatment of virtual gaming under Australian law. We comment on a recent response issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority on this topic to a query of Senator Nick Xenophon.

We wish our readers an enjoyable holiday season and a prosperous 2012.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.