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Victoria: Landmark Reforms to Reduce Gambling Related Harm

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The Andrews Labor Government is introducing sweeping new reforms to protect Victorians from gambling harm – making the state’s gambling harm protections the strongest in Australia.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne announced new reforms to reduce gambling harm at venues with electronic gaming machines (EGMs) across the state.

An estimated 330,000 Victorians experience harm as a result of gambling each year – costing Victoria around $7 billion annually and leading to significant financial distress, mental health concerns and relationship issues.

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All EGMs in Victoria will require mandatory pre-commitment limits and carded play, putting the power back into the hands of patrons while also ensuring that money is tracked – stopping money laundering through our gaming venues.

Load up limits – how much money an individual can put into an EGM at a time – will be capped at $100, down from the current limit of $1000, helping people make informed decisions about their spending, change their behaviour and reduce the amount that can be lost.

Mandatory pre-commitment, carded play and load up limits will be introduced subject to thorough consultation with industry through an implementation working group – taking into account trials in other jurisdictions and the experience at Crown Melbourne, which will have mandated pre-commitment and carded play on all EGMs by the end of 2023.

By mid-2024, mandatory closure periods will be enforced for all gaming machine areas in a venue, except the casino, between 4 am and 10 am. This will address evidence showing some venues are implementing staggered opening hours to allow users to move between venues in one area to continue gambling.

The Government will also make it mandatory for all new EGMs to spin at a rate of three seconds per game, slowing the pace of the game down and limiting the amount that can be lost.

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These combined reforms will keep pace with emerging technologies gaming machines are using, produce safer gambling environments and help patrons to take a break.

These reforms extend changes the Government introduced after the findings of the Royal Commission to other gaming venues across the state, building on nation-leading protections introduced at Crown and the establishment of the nation’s strongest regulator – the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).

This year’s Budget includes $71 million for the VGCCC to take on a larger role in gambling harm minimisation, taking over most of the functions of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation from 1 July 2024.

Anyone affected by their own or someone else’s gambling can call Gambler’s Help 24/7 on 1800 858 858 to access confidential and free advice, support and referral.

Premier Daniel Andrews said: “These reforms will provide the strongest gambling harm preventions and anti-money laundering measures in Australia – we owe it to all Victorians to take this stance and help those experiencing harm turn their lives around.

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“I look forward to the implementation working group’s input and effort.”

Melissa Horne, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, said: “Everyone loses when it comes to gambling harm, and it’s not confined to money – people lose their relationships, their jobs and their wellbeing.

“Our previous reforms have delivered stronger oversight of the gambling industry in Victoria with a regulator unafraid to hold venues to account – now we’re doing more important work to reduce gambling-related harm.”

Australia

BetMakers and SIS Sign Data and Content Agreement

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BetMakers Technology Group has announced that it has signed a new racing data and content distribution agreement with Sports Information Services Limited (SIS).

Under the agreement, BetMakers will deliver SIS race data and video content to approved SIS customers and affiliates in Australia and New Zealand via integration with BetMakers’ bookmaker technology platforms, including websites, mobile apps and pricing applications.

The agreement will give BetMakers’ bookmaker clients in the region who also use SIS data and audio-visual services access to video and data for horse racing from the UK and Europe, the Middle East and the Americas and to greyhound racing from the UK and Ireland.

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BetMakers CEO Jake Henson said: “We are pleased to extend our longstanding working relationship with SIS to deliver content and data services to BetMakers’ bookmaker solution clients in Australia and New Zealand. Close integration with partners like SIS allows BetMakers to offer our End-to-End Platform, Embedded Solution and API clients the racing and betting content they demand and to ensure that our solutions continue to deliver the broadest suite of global racing products to heighten player engagement.”

SIS MD, EMEA, Paul Witten, said: “Australia is one of the largest international racing wagering markets and our partnership with BetMakers enables SIS customers to receive a tailored product that suits their local market needs. We are pleased to assist our racetrack partners in ensuring broad distribution continues and look forward to working with BetMakers over the course of the agreement to deliver growth for those partners.”

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Dr Marla Royne Stafford Named First Conference Chair for 2025 Regulating the Game conference in Sydney

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Leading gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game, to be held from 10 to 13 March 2025 in Sydney, has announced Dr Marla Royne Stafford as its first Conference Chair for the event.

Chairing a day of the conference provides an opportunity for industry professionals and regulators to offer unique insights and perspectives, steward the conversation to highlight critical points and stimulate an exchange of ideas and discussions.

Dr Stafford is Professor of Marketing in the Lee Business School at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She is also a Faculty Scholar with the UNLV International Gaming Institute, Director of Research for the Cannabis Policy Institute and past Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Harrah College of Hospitality.

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She is a past William F. Harrah Distinguished Chair, a member of the Board of Advisors for the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and is currently serving as a guest editor for an upcoming special issue of the UNLV Gaming Research and Review Journal. She is an expert in the responsible gambling arena and her work includes projects with the American Gaming Association and AMZC Limited.

“I am deeply honored and excited to serve in this leadership role at the 2025 Regulating the Game Conference. The Conference is one of the premier annual events in the gaming world, featuring thought leaders and stimulating important discussions in a fast-moving industry. It is truly a privilege to be part of the organizing committee and help advance the needed conversations in policy, regulation, leadership, ethics and the future of the industry,” Dr Stafford said.

Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: “The fact that we are attracting such distinguished figures to Chair a day of Regulating the Game is a clear testament to the conference’s expanding influence and significance in the industry. It’s an exciting time as we continue to bring together the brightest minds to shape the future of gambling regulation.”

Regulating the Game is looking for more candidates to Chair in 2025, specifically seasoned professionals with experience in the gambling sector and regulation, compliance, policy or related fields. The event provides regulators, industry executive or thought leaders this the chance to make a significant impact at one of the industry’s most influential events.

The post Dr Marla Royne Stafford Named First Conference Chair for 2025 Regulating the Game conference in Sydney appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Regulating the Game Confirms First Two Speakers of Masterclass Series

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The organisers of the Regulating the Game conference that will be held in Sydney, Australia, from March 10 to 13 have announced the first two confirmed speakers for its 2025 Masterclass Series in Sydney.

Jay Robinson, chief stakeholder relations officer at Focal Research Consultants, will present a masterclass on “Beyond Compliance – Safer Gambling Training and Building a Culture of Customer Care.”

The organisers said: “Jay brings deep global experience in developing and implementing safer gambling strategies that go beyond mere compliance and underpin cogent industry voice and leadership.

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“Jay’s session will focus on creating a culture of customer care, equipping participants with practical tools and insights to enhance player protection and responsible gambling practices. Flying in from Canada, Jay’s expertise is highly regarded globally, making this a must-attend session for anyone committed to advancing safer gambling initiatives.”

Jay Robinson said: “Great training is more than a compliance tick box: it sustains an arc of culture building housed in customer care. Effective gambling staff training transcends mere compliance and meets the real needs of both staff and customers.

“This masterclass delves into how industry leaders, regulators, and frontline staff across various jurisdictions can successfully build a culture of safer gambling. It emphasises the critical role of leadership in supporting and sustaining training initiatives.”

Ian Hughes, chief commercial officer at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and chief executive officer of GLI Australia, will lead a masterclass on “Technology Disruptors in the Gambling Sector.” This session will dive into emerging technologies within the gaming industry, exploring their potential benefits and risks.

Ian will cover critical innovations such as cashless systems, microservices, AI, and cloud-based solutions, and discuss their impact on responsible gaming, privacy, security, and AML/CTF compliance.

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Both Jay Robinson and Ian Hughes are recognised experts in their fields, and their masterclasses will offer attendees unparalleled insights into the latest trends and best practices. These sessions are designed to deep dive into the topics, promote interaction and provide actionable insights to help participants navigate the rapidly evolving gambling regulatory landscape.

Paul Newson, principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: “We’re thrilled to continue the Masterclass Series at Regulating the Game 2025, featuring world-class experts like Jay Robinson and Ian Hughes.

“These sessions will provide hands-on learning and deep insights into key areas like safer gambling, customer care, and disruptive technologies. It’s an unparalleled opportunity for participants to engage with the latest trends and walk away with actionable strategies for uplifting capability and navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.”

The post Regulating the Game Confirms First Two Speakers of Masterclass Series appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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