Industry News
Westpac NZ Introduces Gambling Account Block to Support Customers
Westpac NZ has introduced an account block to support customers struggling with online gambling.
Louisa Brock, Westpac NZ Manager Financial Inclusion and Vulnerability, leads the bank’s Extra Care team and says the optional block is something customers have been asking for.
“We know gambling can become an addiction for some people, at which point it can cause significant harm. By introducing the gambling block, we’re empowering our customers to stay in control of their finances,” Ms Brock says.
From 26 June to 25 September 2023, Westpac customers spent $136.8 million with online gambling merchants (compared with $3.2m spent at physical gambling locations in that period). Nearly half of that online spend was with TAB and Lotto, with the remainder distributed among various online gambling businesses.
“While the block only applies to online transactions, our data shows that the majority of gambling spending does take place online. We’ve updated our website to let customers know that the block’s available if they’re looking for support with a gambling problem,” Ms Brock says.
Westpac customers can call the bank or visit a branch to request a gambling block – the block will then be applied to all their credit/debit cards.
When the block is in place, it means a customer can’t use their card for online transactions with gambling businesses (the transaction will be declined). The block doesn’t stop transactions at physical gambling locations, such as casinos or buying a lottery ticket at a retail outfit. Once the block has been set up, it will stay in place for a minimum of three months before a customer can request to remove it.
Ms Brock says Westpac has already had feedback from customers that the block can make a difference.
“In one example, a customer received an inheritance payment of more than $100,000, then over the next 12 days spent more than $15,000 gambling online,” Ms Brock says.
“When the customer was told that we could put a block on their account to help them manage their spending, they jumped at the opportunity. The customer told our team that they were desperate to quit gambling, but found it difficult to control on their own.
“Admitting you have a problem is a really brave thing to do. Letting customers know that the gambling block is available hopefully makes it easier for them to have those conversations with our teams, as well as empowering our people to best support our customers.
“As well as introducing the gambling block, we’ve trained our customer-facing teams to have constructive conversations with customers who may be struggling with gambling. Our people can also work with these customers to structure their accounts to limit gambling spend.”
The introduction of the gambling block is the latest initiative in Westpac’s Extra Care programme of work. Earlier this year, Westpac NZ launched the use of an interpreting service to support customers who don’t speak English, and updated its bankruptcy policy to improve access to basic banking services for Kiwis going through tough times.
The bank has also worked with the Department of Corrections to make it possible for prisoners nearing their release date to open bank accounts, as well as partnered with Oranga Tamariki and advocacy organisation VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai to help young people in state care to get a bank account and access financial education.
“We’re working hard to help improve outcomes for our customers and communities,” Ms Brock says.
The post Westpac NZ Introduces Gambling Account Block to Support Customers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Online casino engagement is breaking down faster than operators anticipated, according to new research by CasinoRank. The analysis tracked player behaviour across 847 slot, crash and live dealer titles over 18 months and shows that while players are logging into casinos more frequently, their willingness to stay and engage is declining. Session frequency rose 23% year over year, while median session duration fell 18%, pointing to a shift towards shorter, faster interactions rather than sustained play.
The research draws on aggregated session data from 40 operators across Europe, Latin America and Asia between Q2 2024 and December 2025. Across markets, a consistent pattern emerged: platforms that introduced additional layers between app open and first gameplay experienced higher early-session abandonment, even when traffic increased. Personalisation layers, lobby restructuring, promotional overlays and navigation changes that delayed the first meaningful interaction were repeatedly linked to players exiting before placing a bet.
Key patterns:
• Players opening casino apps more often but exiting earlier
• Higher abandonment when friction appears before first gameplay
• Steeper retention declines as response times reach double-digit seconds
• A growing share of session losses occurring before gameplay begins.
The findings suggest the window to earn engagement has collapsed to seconds. Mobile-first behaviour has reduced tolerance for slow loading, unclear navigation or delayed gameplay. Retention declines steadily as response times increase, with the sharpest drop once delays extend into double-digit seconds.
Game performance data reflects the same shift. Titles built around immediately understandable mechanics consistently maintain top-ranking visibility longer than feature-heavy games with layered bonus structures or complex progression systems. As engagement windows shorten, complexity is increasingly perceived as friction rather than innovation.
Dylan Thomas, credibility lead at CasinoRank, said the findings point to a structural change rather than a temporary fluctuation. “Engagement is not falling. It is fracturing. Players are returning more often, but committing less time per visit,” Thomas said.
“Platforms now have seconds, not minutes, to earn the first meaningful action.”
The post CasinoRank Data Reveals an Attention Crisis in Online Casino Gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
MGM Resorts International has reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy strategy, now powering up to 100% of its daytime electricity needs on the Las Vegas Strip with solar energy. The achievement was made possible after the Company began receiving 115 MW of solar energy and 400 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage in December of 2025 from the recently completed Escape Solar and Storage Project, located in Lincoln County, Nevada.
By combining power from the newly activated Escape Solar and Storage Project with the Company’s 100-megawatt (MW) Mega Solar Array, MGM Resorts has more than doubled its access to renewable energy. In addition, the battery system from Escape Solar allows MGM Resorts to store solar energy generated during peak production hours and use it during evenings and other lower-production periods.
“With this new project coming online, we are accelerating progress toward our goal of using 100% renewable electricity domestically by 2030. Together with our Mega Solar Array, the new Escape Solar and Storage Project reflects our focus on scalable, impactful clean-energy solutions. It also demonstrates that our industry can operate more sustainably while delivering long-term cost stability, strengthening our business and supporting a more resilient energy future,” said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts.
MGM resorts announced a 25-year power purchase agreement with Escape Solar LLC in September of 2024 to amplify the Company’s renewable energy capabilities and extend production to cover up to 100% of its Las Vegas properties’ total daytime needs.
As an operator of large-scale resorts, MGM Resorts remains focused on expanding renewable energy use to lower long-term energy costs and mitigate exposure to energy price volatility. Since 2016, the Company has significantly reduced carbon emissions through investments in renewable energy projects, including:
• 323,000-panel Mega Solar Array providing 100 MW to MGM Resorts locations in Las Vegas
• 26,000 solar panels atop the Mandalay Bay Convention Center providing 8.3 MW to that property
• 100-kW rooftop solar array to help power T-Mobile Arena
• 3456 solar panels atop the parking garage at MGM Springfield in Massachusetts.
The post MGM Resorts Powers Up to 100% of Daytime Las Vegas Strip Electricity with Solar appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
DragoBet has launched its online casino and sportsbook as a service designed for use across multiple markets. The platform adjusts language, currency, and payment settings by region, while keeping casino play and sports betting available through a single account.
Players complete one registration and can use the platform on desktop and mobile devices, with the same account structure and balance maintained across all access points.
Casino and Sportsbook Offering
Drago Bet launches with a casino catalogue exceeding 10,000 titles, covering a broad range of play styles. The selection includes slot games, table formats, live dealer tables, jackpots, crash titles and other feature-based releases. Games are supplied by more than 100 established software providers, combining well-known titles with newer releases within the same library.
DragoBet sportsbook is built into the same environment as the casino and covers a mix of international competitions and locally followed events. Football, basketball, tennis and cricket make up the main focus, while a range of other sports is also included. Betting is available both ahead of kick-off and during live matches, with prices updating continuously as games unfold.
Account Structure and Payments
A single account and wallet connect both casino and sportsbook activity. A single account and wallet connect casino and sportsbook play, with one DragoBet login used to access all products under the same balance.
DragoBet casino supports a range of commonly used payment options, depending on market and currency. These typically include bank transfers, debit and credit cards, alternative card solutions, digital wallets such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, Revolut and N26, as well as cryptocurrency payments. The exact methods available are displayed within the platform.
Deposits are processed online, while withdrawals are handled following account verification in line with standard internal procedures.
Security and Compliance
The platform operates under an established offshore gaming framework. Standard operational controls are applied, including encrypted data transmission and transaction monitoring.
Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures form part of the withdrawal process. These measures are applied to support account security and payment integrity.
Bonuses and Player Programs
The casino offers a structured DragoBet bonus system for new and returning players. The welcome package is delivered across multiple initial deposits, with defined wagering conditions. Additional promotions, reload offers and cashback campaigns are available on an ongoing basis.
A loyalty system, Dragon Throne Club, is integrated into the platform. The program is structured across multiple levels and provides cashback, rakeback and account-based rewards tied to continued play.
The post DragoBet Launches Multi-Regional Casino and Sportsbook Platform appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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