Australia
Tabcorp Updates COVID-19 Impact
Tabcorp Holdings Limited (Tabcorp) has provided an update on the impact of COVID-19 on its operations.
Tabcorp has temporarily closed its Australian licensed venues and TAB agencies which offer Tabcorp’s Wagering & Media, Keno and Gaming Services products. The closure follows the Prime Minister’s announcement to close certain types of venues to combat the spread of coronavirus.
The convenience stores and other such outlets, which distribute Tabcorp’s Lottery products, are not covered by the measures and will remain open. It is expected that newsagencies, which also distribute Tabcorp’s Lottery products, will remain open but is not yet confirmed.
Tabcorp notes that many national governments and sporting bodies have announced the cancellation and/or postponement of major sports events. Thoroughbred, harness and greyhound race meetings in Australia are currently still being conducted with restrictions on public attendance and otherwise in accordance with social distancing rules.
David Attenborough, Tabcorp’s Managing Director and CEO, said:
“The health and safety of our people, our partners and the community are our priority at this point in time.”
“We are working with governments, regulators, and our venue and racing industry partners to manage the impact on them, our customers and our businesses during this unprecedented period.”
“We recognise how difficult this situation is for our people, our industry partners and the community, and we are committed to using the strength of our business model and our enduring partnerships to come through this stronger, together.”
“We have implemented our business continuity plans and have maintained continuity of service, even with the vast majority of our employees now operating remotely.”
“Despite the impact of these changes in licensed venues and, potentially, TAB agencies, we continue to offer customers Wagering & Media and Keno products through our digital channels.”
In 1H20, revenue from Australian licensed venues, TAB agencies and on-course outlets accounted for 28% of Tabcorp Group revenues and Sports betting revenues accounted for 4% of Tabcorp Group revenues.
Given this evolving situation, and the high level of uncertainty regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the Group in FY20 and, likely, FY21, Tabcorp is not currently in a position to provide specific guidance on earnings or financial impacts.
Tabcorp is seeking to partially mitigate the impact of these changes by reducing operating and capital expenditure where it reasonably can, encouraging retail customers to use digital alternatives and actively promoting remaining available products.
Network Ten has been found in breach of broadcasting rules after airing gambling advertisements during the australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in March 2024.
An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found four gambling ads were aired at prohibited times during a broadcast of the first practice round of the Grand Prix.
Under the Commercial TV Code of Practice (the Code), gambling promotions cannot be shown during broadcasts of sporting events between 5am and 8.30pm, including the five minutes before and after the event.
Authority member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the rules around gambling advertisements on TV are there to protect the community from gambling related harms.
“Broadcasters should have strict controls in place to ensure compliance with the restrictions on gambling ads during sporting events,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
Practice rounds and qualifying rounds for motorsports are subject to the same restrictions on gambling advertising as the main event itself.
This is the first breach by Network 10 of the gambling advertising rules in the Code. During the investigation, Network 10 submitted that the broadcasts occurred due to human error.
Following the ACMA’s breach finding, Network 10 voluntarily improved the planning, checks and balances it has in place for ad scheduling and has, at the ACMA’s request, agreed to review its processes to introduce additional quality controls.
Network 10 will also train staff to avoid similar issues in the future and will provide a written progress report to the ACMA.
In a separate investigation in 2024, the ACMA found that streaming service 10 Play, provided by Network 10, breached online gambling advertising rules during two live-streamed sports events.
“The ACMA will closely monitor these actions and Network Ten’s compliance with the broadcasting and online gambling advertising rules,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
The post Network 10 Breaches Gambling Ad Rules During Formula 1 Grand Prix Broadcast appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Picklebet, an Australian-owned and operated digital wagering platform, has become the Official Wagering Partner of Penrith Panthers.
Damon Oudejans, CMO and Co-Founder of Picklebet, said: “We are incredibly excited to partner with the Penrith Panthers, a club that has set the benchmark for excellence both on and off the field.
“Picklebet and the Panthers share a passion for innovation, and a commitment to delivering premium experiences to fans. This partnership is more than just branding—it’s about creating engaging, digital-first activations that bring supporters closer to the game they love.”
To kick-start the partnership Picklebet is giving away the ultimate giveaway for two people for the opening game of the season in Las Vegas. The social competition ends at 12 pm AEDT on Monday 24 February and includes flights to Las Vegas, three nights’ accommodation, $5000 spending money and tickets to see the Panthers headline the Rugby League action at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Matt Cameron, CEO of Panthers Rugby League, said: “This partnership is a fantastic alignment between two brands that embrace innovation and excellence.
“Picklebet’s cutting-edge approach to digital wagering, particularly its focus on next-gen sports engagement, is an exciting fit for our club. We look forward to working together to create incredible experiences for Panthers fans over the next four years.”
As part of the partnership, Picklebet branding will be feature across Panthers’ assets, including digital platforms, in-stadium activations and exclusive fan engagement initiatives. Picklebet will also leverage its expertise in digital and social engagement to introduce new ways for fans to interact with the game and their team like never before.
The post Picklebet Becomes Official Wagering Partner of Penrith Panthers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested the Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block more illegal online gambling and affiliate-marketing websites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites blocked include JokaRoom, AUDPokies888, Aura Play, Instant Casino, Leon, Rich Papa, UUSpin and Wild Pokies.
Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling. Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 1154 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.
Around 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.
The post ACMA Blocks More Illegal Gambling Websites appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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