Australia

Westpac Expands Digital Gambling Block Feature for More Customers

Published

5 years ago

October 5, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Westpac Group has extended its digital gambling block feature to provide more ways for customers to restrict their spend with gambling merchants in real-time. The latest changes mean the digital feature will now be available for over two million St.George, BankSA and Bank of Melbourne personal debit card customers.

The digital feature was made available earlier this year enabling customers with eligible cards to apply an instant block on certain gambling-related transactions through their mobile or online banking. When the gambling block is applied, transactions to certain gambling merchants including casinos, sports betting agencies and online gambling companies are instantly prevented.

Catherine Fitzpatrick, Director of Customer Vulnerability & Financial Resilience at Westpac, said: “Problem gambling continues to be a serious issue in Australian communities, and as more people transact online during the pandemic, the digital feature gives customers the ability to manage their gambling spend whenever they might need it.

“The benefits of being able to apply a block in real-time also it gives customers more control and flexibility in the moment.

“While the majority of customers are now using digital channels to complete their everyday banking tasks, our Customer Care team continues to remain available as another way for customers to call and have a block applied.”

As part of the latest updates, a gambling block is also now automatically applied to all Westpac Group debit cardholders under the age of 18 to help prevent underage gambling.

Lauren Levin, Director of Policy & Campaigns at Financial Counselling Australia said more people have become concerned about their finances and gambling during the pandemic.

“We are noticing the pandemic has led to a rise in people gambling more and worried about their money.

“The gambling block is a great idea. Research tells us that the more often a person gambles, the greater the risk of developing a gambling issue. The bank gambling block is an easy tool that will help a lot of people.

“We’d also see the feature being used by other household or family members as a preventative measure.

“We encourage anyone who is worried about their gambling to use features like Westpac’s gambling block, but also seek help. There are many doorways. You won’t be judged. Talk to a family member or friend, a professional, or speak to your bank for support,” Levin said.

AB Trav och Galopp

BetMakers Technology Group Selected to Distribute ATG Horse Racing Content Across Australia and New Zealand

Published

3 days ago

July 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

betmakers-technology-group-selected-to-distribute-atg-horse-racing-content-across-australia-and-new-zealand

BetMakers Technology Group announced it has been appointed by AB Trav och Galopp (ATG), Sweden’s national horse racing betting organisation, to distribute ATG’s live racing content and data to wagering operators across Australia and New Zealand.

Under the agreement, BetMakers will make ATG’s nominated Swedish and Danish horse racing available for fixed-odds betting, together with ATG’s live vision signal. The arrangement broadens the international racing product available to operators in the region and deepens BetMakers’ growing library of premium global content.

“BetMakers is incredibly proud to be working with ATG. Their racing is among the best in the world, and we’re focused on getting that content live and available to operators across Australia and New Zealand quickly and reliably. This is a partnership we’ve wanted for a long time, and it’s a genuine pleasure to bring ATG’s product to our customers in the region,” said Martin Tripp, Chief Operating Officer at BetMakers Technology Group.

“We at ATG are incredibly happy to expand our partnership with BetMakers. They help us as a betting company reach more customers with our products and races. We are delighted that we can now together take our Swedish races abroad, primarily to Australia and New Zealand,” Said Petter Johansson, International Business Officer at AB Trav och Galopp (ATG).

The partnership reflects continued demand from operators for differentiated international racing content and reinforces BetMakers’ position as a global racing technology and content provider.

The post BetMakers Technology Group Selected to Distribute ATG Horse Racing Content Across Australia and New Zealand appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

ACMA

ACMA Warns MMA Fighter Jamie Mullarkey for Breaches of Online Gambling Laws

Published

3 days ago

July 8, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

acma-warns-mma-fighter-jamie-mullarkey-for-breaches-of-online-gambling-laws

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a formal warning to mixed martial arts fighter Jamie Mullarkey for breaches of Australia’s online gambling laws.

An ACMA investigation found that in 2025 Mr Mullarkey promoted an illegal offshore gambling service in sponsored posts on his Instagram account. Mr Mullarkey’s Instagram profile also referred to his sponsorship arrangements with the service, including a link to the gambling site and posts with promotional hashtags referring to the service.

Australian online gambling rules prohibit the promotion of illegal gambling services. This includes posts or live streams featuring illegal services, sharing links to those services or running promotional giveaways connected to illegal gambling services.

ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the enforcement action puts social media influencers and their agents on notice.

“Athletes and social media personalities with large online followings can have significant influence over their audiences and can encourage the use of illegal gambling services,” Ms Lidgerwood said.

“This is the first enforcement action we have taken against an influencer for breaching online gambling rules, and it should serve as a warning to others.

“In this case the ACMA issued a formal warning considering the specific circumstances of the matter. This included that Mr Mullarkey ended the sponsorship arrangement promptly, cooperated with the investigation and quickly removed the material. Mr Mullarkey also accepted responsibility for his conduct and expressed genuine remorse.

“However, all influencers need to be aware that promoting illegal online gambling sites is against the law and can result in significant penalties.”

Individuals who promote or publicise illegal online gambling services can face civil penalties of up to $59,400. Those who facilitate access to illegal gambling services, including by providing hyperlinks or directing users to those services, may face penalties of up to $2,475,000.

“The ACMA will use its full suite of regulatory tools, including these substantial civil penalties, where influencers promote or facilitate access to illegal gambling services,” Ms Lidgerwood said.

The post ACMA Warns MMA Fighter Jamie Mullarkey for Breaches of Online Gambling Laws appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Australia

Feedback Sought on How Public Lotteries are Run in NSW

Published

2 weeks ago

June 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

feedback-sought-on-how-public-lotteries-are-run-in-nsw

Liquor & Gaming NSW is seeking feedback from industry, stakeholders and the community on how public lotteries are run in NSW.

The Public Lotteries Regulation 2016 is due to expire on 1 September 2026 and Liquor & Gaming NSW intends to renew the regulation to support the legislative framework for lottery regulation, while ensuring it remains fit for purpose.

Public consultation is a key part of the process and the draft Public Lotteries Regulation 2026 and Regulatory Impact Statement will be open for consultation until Friday 10 July.

It is proposed that the regulation will retain most of the existing provisions with some minor amendments to modernise the regulatory framework, remove outdated provisions and improve clarity, consistency and effectiveness.

Before the draft regulation can be remade, legislation requires a formal process of review be undertaken, which includes consultation with the public, interest groups and industry or businesses likely to be affected by the draft regulation.

It’s important for public lotteries to be conducted properly and in line with community interests and expectations, with appropriate harm minimisation measures.

The regulation supports the legislation by setting the standards around the conduct of public lotteries and puts in place consumer protections for people who buy lottery tickets.

The post Feedback Sought on How Public Lotteries are Run in NSW appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.