Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 7 November 2002

Computer gambling - $10,000 price TAG.

The Consumer Protection Commissioner is warning us not to be lured into risking our hard earned cash with computerised gambling systems.

Several computer gambling offers are being promoted throughout Australia, including regional Western Australia where people may be more vulnerable to sales pitches due to their isolated location and also being used to using their computer for internet shopping.

"This type of gambling is extremely high risk and many of the offers are cleverly cloaked as business and investment opportunities to dupe the unwary," Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

Equipment sold with the so-called business packages range from a single computer disk to complete computer systems and can cost in excess of $10,000. Betting using SMS functions on mobile phones to run a TAB phone account has also been found to be a characteristic of this scheme.

"These types of schemes are not new to WA, however this time around they are being dressed up to appeal to peoples desire for quick wealth that they don't have to do much in order to obtain", Mr. Walker said.

Consumer Protection is currently looking into a Queensland based operation that collected almost $2,000 from a resident in the North West of WA but did not provide any of the goods. The company has been dodging departmental inquires for some months and the matter has been referred to the Queensland Office of Fair Trading.

In September of this year the ACCC took action against two Queensland men who presented gambling products as investment opportunities. They were restrained from conducting similar activities and directed to publish corrective advertising in newspapers.

(Source: www.accc.gov.au/media/mediar.htm 9 Sep 2002, ACCC Trifecta Against Gold Coast Punting Software Promoters)

"Sending money interstate to computer gambling schemes in the hope of quick riches is money down the drain. Always carefully consider any investment with the help of an independent and qualified financial advisor, remembering that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is", the Commissioner said.

Call Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54 or go online at www.docep.wa.gov.au for further information and assistance.