“This isn’t over! Gambling companies won’t be allowed to keep stolen money forever.”

It’s only a matter of time before laws are changed to force gambling companies to give the proceeds of crime back to victims says Independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton.  

Ms Dalton’s comments came after Labor and the Coalition joined forces to vote against her Return of Proceeds of Crime (Gambling Companies) Bill 2024. 

“My Bill would have forced gambling companies to return stolen money to victims of crime,” Helen said. “It’s outrageous that the major parties did not support this Bill.” 

“Why are the major parties running a protection racket for the gambling companies?” Helen asked.  

“The public will be outraged when they find out that, right now, gambling companies knowingly keep stolen money that is used by gamblers,” Helen said.  

“My Bill would have meant that when a court rules that money has been stolen, and when that court identifies the person the money was stolen from, gambling companies are required, by law, to give that stolen money back to the victims,” Helen said.  

“I cannot find a single voter who thinks the gambling companies should be allowed to keep this stolen money,” Helen said. “So why wouldn’t the major parties support this Bill that would return stolen money to victims.” 

Ms Dalton’s Bill is similar to other Proceeds of Crime Bills which have been tabled by Independent politicians in the federal parliament and the Tasmanian parliament.  

Ms Dalton said she would not give up, and vowed to change the laws relating to proceeds of crime.  

“This isn’t over,” Helen said. “I’m not giving up and the public don’t want me to give up. Watch this space.”