The laws that regulate gambling in Australia are experimenting controversial times this days after the issuing of new licenses that allow gaming companies to sell keno and lottery tickets in outlets such as supermarkets, pharmacies and through vending machines and mobile phone messages.

The Government has been accused of turning a blind eye to problem gambling after approving two 10-year licenses to the companies Intralot and Tattersall. Intralot will be allowed to offer instant "scratchies" that will be spent through vending machines for a prize of $20 with the possibility to scoop a top prize of 1.5 million. This license will also give green light to Intralot for the developing of new games that will have to be approved by the independent Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation.

With the expansion of the licenses, TV bingo will be offered weekly, head or trails and cross and match games daily and keno and Pick 3 games 3 times a day. An increase in the number of tickets sold is expected since the availability to buy them in convenience stores, pharmacies and supermarkets will rise. On the other hand, anti gambling activists warned that this new dispositions will definitely come together with an increase in problem gambling and gambling by children.

While an Intralot spokesman said they won’t be selling its products over the internet or mobile phones for the moment, Tattersall on the other hand will use its network of agencies and retail outlets to distribute lottery tickets as well as its website.