It outlines plans by the telco to introduce what it calls an SMS-aided "game". Respected industry analyst Paul Budde, however, has labelled it a form of gambling.
I tend to agree with Budde on this one.
Under the scheme, Telstra's mobile customers are able to sign up to play an interactive game based on television ratings winner "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". A cash prize of AU$100,000 is dangled in front of punters as they answer questions via SMS, and of course pay 30 cents a pop each time they do so.
Claiming a user base of around five million Australians (who are world renowned for their love of a bet), it's no wonder the carrier is excited by the prospect of what promises to be quite a tidy little earner. Sounds like gambling to me.
What irks me about this plan is that Howard is more than happy to send Australian online gambling operations offshore, rather than allow them to "further corrupt" our society, yet is more than happy to allow a plan like this one to go ahead. Basically, what Howard is saying is that if his technology-stifling Government doesn't get a piece of the pie, then nobody's allowed to eat.
Do you think Telstra's plan would get a green light, or at least be free of the scrutiny placed on other electronic gambling forums, if the Government didn't own the majority of the company and is therefore able to pocket some of the proceeds? No way!
Chalk up another one for the Federal Government's transparent policy of greed and ignorance.
