It has been six months since the new laws were passed through parliament to bring online gambling in line with in-person gambling and ban punters from using credit cards.

Companies who fail to enforce the ban, which also covers credit-related products and digital currencies, could be fined up to $234,750.

The new laws also expand the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s powers to enforce the regulations and penalties.

The ban on credit cards follows other government measures intended to curb problem gambling, including launching BetStop, a self-exclusion register, and mandating ID pre-verification for all online gambling accounts.

The government said so far, 22,000 people had registered with BetStop.

“Australians should not be gambling with money they do not have,” Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said.

“Our commitment to ensuring that gambling takes place within a robust legislative framework with strong consumer protections remains steadfast, and we will have more to announce in due course.”

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the ban would help vulnerable Australians.

“You can’t use your credit card to place a bet for land-based gambling and now the the same rules apply for online gambling,” she said.

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