Media release – Kristie Johnston, independent MHA for Clark, 28 October 2024
Gambling, Proceeds of Crime
How can it be that gambling companies get to keep money that’s been stolen to gamble?
There is no good reason gambling companies should benefit from the proceeds of crime. It’s wrong.
Money stolen to gamble should, where possible, be returned to the victim.
Today with fellow independents, federal MP Andrew Wilkie and NSW MP Helen Dalton, I’m in Sydney to launch an effort to create laws nationally and in each state to address this injustice.
My Bill, to be introduced to the Tasmanian Parliament this year, will allow the Supreme Court to make orders for the return of the stolen money and ask gambling companies to act if they think a punter is using stolen money.
This issue came into focus in Tasmania with the case of butcher Robbo Robinson, who had his $420,000 retirement savings stolen.
His gambling-addict bookkeeper went to jail after blowing Robbo’s lifesavings on the pokies.
But Robbo remains devastated by the loss and has no way to recover his retirement income.
My Bill would have recovered Robbo’s money from the gambling business who pocketed his money
The Bill will save future victims though from suffering Robbo’s fate.
