Moves are under way in Western Australia to ban online lottery betting organisations, with the state government saying it will protect Lotterywest and minimise harm to at-risk gamblers.
Legislation will be introduced to parliament on Wednesday to empower the Gaming and Wagering Commission to block so-called synthetic lottery products such as Lottoland, which offer betting on domestic and overseas lottery draws.
Premier Mark McGowan said the organisations were eroding the customer base of Lotterywest, which provides hundreds of million of dollars in grants to worthy organisations each year.
Organisations like Lottoland, however, took from the community but don't give anything back, Mr McGowan said.
"Lotterywest needs to remain strong because it provides those community grants and support," Mr McGowan told reporters.
"That's why we have to bring in this legislation, to protect Lotterywest and make sure those organisations like Lottoland don't get a foothold here."
Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said determined punters would still be able to use synthetic lotteries but he expects those organisations' market share would fall dramatically.
He said the state government also planned to stop live odds advertising at sporting events such as AFL matches at Optus Stadium, but the ban wouldn't apply to race tracks.
Laws banning synthetic lotteries cleared federal parliament earlier this year.
