Australia

Tabcorp Updates COVID-19 Impact

Published

5 years ago

March 24, 2020

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.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

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.

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Australia

ACMA Blocks More llegal Online Gambling Websites

Published

16 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Niji Narayan

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested the Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block more illegal online gambling sites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The latest sites blocked include Casiny, CoinPoker, Crown Play, Fafabet9, SlotFred, Smart 93 and Vigor Spin.

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, 1251 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 llegal Online Gambling Websites appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Australia

ACMA: TAB Penalised $4 Million for Spamming VIP Customers

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2025

Niji Narayan

acma:-tab-penalised-$4-million-for-spamming-vip-customers

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Tabcorp Holdings Limited (TAB) has been penalised $4,003,270 for sending more than 5700 marketing messages to customers of its VIP Programme that broke Australia’s spam laws.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found that TAB sent 2598 SMS and WhatsApp messages to VIP customers between 1 February and 1 May 2024 without providing an option to unsubscribe from the messages.

The ACMA also found that 3148 SMS and WhatsApp messages did not contain adequate sender information across the same period, and 11 SMS messages were sent without consent between 15 February and 29 April 2024.

Authority Member Samantha Yorke said the breaches were deeply concerning as they involved non-compliance by a large and established gambling provider that targeted VIP Programme customers.

“This is the first time the ACMA has investigated and found spam breaches in a gambling VIP program. These programs often involve personalised messages offering incentives such as bonus bets, deposit matching, rebates and offers of tickets to sporting and other events.

“The gambling industry needs to understand that spam laws apply to all direct marketing—whether it’s generic campaigns or personalised messages,” Ms Yorke said.

“VIPs should not be confused with gambling ‘high-rollers’. These types of gambling VIP programs can involve customers who are not well off and are experiencing significant losses,” Ms Yorke said.

“It is utterly unacceptable that TAB did not have adequate spam compliance systems in place.”

Under the Spam Act 2003, businesses must have consent before sending marketing messages. Messages sent with consent must also contain a working unsubscribe option and information about the sender.

“When people make choices to unsubscribe from a service they must be able to do so easily and their decisions must be respected by companies,” Ms Yorke said.

TAB has also entered into a 3-year court-enforceable undertaking. This includes an independent review of its direct marketing systems, making improvements, running quarterly audits of its VIP direct marketing, training staff and reporting to the ACMA regularly.

“The ACMA will be watching closely to ensure TAB meets its commitments and complies with the spam laws in future,” Ms Yorke said.

Cracking down on gambling safeguards and spam rules are current compliance priorities for the ACMA. Over the last 18 months businesses have been penalised over $16.9 million for spam breaches.

The post ACMA: TAB Penalised $4 Million for Spamming VIP Customers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Australia

IBIA Joins the Judging Panel for Inaugural RTG Global Awards

Published

1 week ago

June 12, 2025

Niji Narayan

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The organisers of Regulating the Game have announced the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) as a confirmed judge for the inaugural RTG Global Awards, to be presented at the Regulating the Game 2026 Gala Dinner on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Sydney.

The RTG Global Awards celebrate excellence in leadership, innovation and impact across community impact, compliance, safer gambling, industry integrity and financial crime risk management. The Awards form part of the sixth edition of Regulating the Game, an international conference committed to enhancing sector integrity, regulatory capability and ethical leadership.

Founded in 2005, IBIA is the leading global voice on integrity for the licensed betting industry. It is a not-for-profit association whose members include many of the world’s largest regulated betting operators, active across six continents. IBIA plays a crucial role in safeguarding sport and the betting industry from corruption, operating a world-leading monitoring and alert platform and collaborating with regulators and sports governing bodies around the world.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, joins the RTG Global Awards judging panel, bringing deep sector expertise and a steadfast commitment to integrity and responsible betting practices.

He said: “I am honoured to join the judging panel for the RTG Global Awards. At IBIA, we are dedicated to upholding integrity and transparency across the global betting landscape. These Awards spotlight the organisations and individuals working to advance ethical conduct and effective regulation, and we are proud to support that mission.”

Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, welcomed the announcement: “Khalid’s appointment and IBIA’s involvement reflect the global calibre and integrity-centred mission of the Awards. Their leadership in monitoring and protecting sport from betting-related corruption aligns perfectly with our vision to champion excellence and elevate standards across the sector.”

• The RTG Global Awards will feature six categories:

• Leadership Voice – for principled, reform-focused leadership contributing to sector uplift

• Safer Gambling Champion – for operators or organisations demonstrating tangible harm minimisation outcomes

• Compliance Excellence – recognising uplift in AML, risk culture, or regulatory compliance

• RegTech Solution of the Year – celebrating innovative technologies improving sector integrity and compliance

• Community Impact Initiative – for initiatives delivering measurable community benefit

• Emerging Leader – Safer Gambling or Compliance – spotlighting rising talent (under 40) making meaningful contributions.

Key Dates:

• Nominations Open: Tuesday, July 1, 2025

• Nominations Close: Friday, December 12, 2025

• Finalists Announced: Monday, February, 2 2026

• Awards Presented: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Regulating the Game Gala Dinner.