Australia
VGCCC: Tabcorp Forced to Make Most Betting Terminals Cashless
Tabcorp has been ordered to make most of its Electronic Betting Terminals (EBTs) cashless, following multiple incidents of a minor using them to gamble.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has issued a statewide direction that Tabcorp’s betting terminals cannot accept cash bets unless they are within five metres, and in the line of sight of the counter.
This will mean, from late-January 2024, around 70 percent of Tabcorp’s 1800 Electronic Betting Terminals across Victoria will change to only accept vouchers.
To use these terminals, patrons must go to the counter to obtain a voucher, ensuring ID checking occurs where the person appears to be under 25.
Tabcorp has also been directed to rollout an independent “mystery shopper” programme to ensure venues are appropriately checking ID. Failure to comply with the new requirements will result in an escalating series of penalties for those venues, including having all EBTs in the venue switched to voucher mode for six months and Tabcorp terminating agreements with the venues.
Over the past eight months, the VGCCC has charged Tabcorp, along with nine venues, for offences related to allowing a minor within a gaming machine area, allowing a minor to gamble, and failing to reasonably supervise Electronic Betting Terminals. The first case was heard in court last month, with the Magistrate fining the Preston Hotel $25,300 for allowing the then 16-year-old to gamble using betting terminals in 2022.
VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM said the strengthened requirements were a response to continued breaches, despite warnings to the industry. “It is inexcusable to accept a bet from a minor and tougher actions are required to protect the community, especially children, from gambling harm,” she said.
“Venue staff are the first line of defence in protecting minors from gambling. We have taken decisive measures where they have failed to take their responsibilities seriously.”
“These stronger identity checks not only represent an additional barrier to allowing children to gamble, but will also help to prevent money laundering,” she said.
“The VGCCC will actively monitor these safeguards to reduce harm, and venues should take note and act to uphold their duty to care for the community.”
The charges against Tabcorp and the remaining eight venues relate to allegedly allowing a minor to gamble in breach of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, between 8 September 2022 and 20 October 2023.
Tabcorp faces a total of 72 charges of allowing a minor to gamble and failing to reasonably supervise its Electronic Betting Terminals.
If found guilty, the operators face a maximum collective fine of more than one million dollars, while Tabcorp could face a maximum fine of $969,236.40.
Australia
Nerida O’Loughlin Reappointed as ACMA Chair
The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Rtd), has accepted the Albanese Government’s recommendation that Ms Nerida O’Loughlin PSM be reappointed as Chair of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Ms O’Loughlin has been reappointed for a three-year term, commencing on 14 October 2024, having first been appointed in 2017 and reappointed in 2022.
The Chair has extensive executive and regulatory experience, and is well respected across the sector. Her reappointment provides continuity as the ACMA works to deliver important outcomes for consumers and industry in the communications and media sectors, and implement reforms being undertaken by Government.
In her current term, Ms O’Loughlin has led the ACMA’s work to strengthen telecommunications consumer safeguards, particularly for vulnerable Australians, overseen the establishment of BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register and Australia’s first SMS ID Registry – and taken strong enforcement of anti-scam and illegal gambling rules.
Ms O’Loughlin has also led important work on media diversity, misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms, and supported improved digital connectivity through the allocation of valuable radiocommunications spectrum.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“I congratulate Ms Nerida O’Loughlin PSM on her reappointment as Chair of the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
“Since her appointment in 2017, Ms O’Loughlin has led the ACMA to deliver important reforms and regulatory activities in the communications and media industries.
“This includes better supporting consumers facing financial hardship pressures in paying their telecommunications bills, mitigating consumer harms in gambling advertising, enforcing anti-scam rules and taking enforcement action against corporations for non-compliance with Australia’s spam unsubscribe rules.
“The Chair’s continuity will provide the Authority ongoing certainty as the Albanese Government continues its important media and digital platforms reform agenda.
“I look forward to continue working with Ms O’Loughlin as the ACMA Chair.”
The post Nerida O’Loughlin Reappointed as ACMA Chair appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
Crown Reinstated at Sydney Casino
The NSW Independent Casino Commission has found Crown Sydney suitable to retain its casino licence after nearly three years of intensive remediation.
Chief Commissioner, Philip Crawford, said Crown has come a long way and must now demonstrate its long-term commitment to maintaining suitability.
“The NICC is confident the Crown we deemed suitable today has a strong model to keep operating into the future,” Mr Crawford said.
The NICC’s suitability assessment established that Crown Sydney has fundamentally reformed its business and is operating the casino within the objects of the Act, the requirements of the suitability deed, and in compliance with its regulatory obligations.
In addition to proving it can run the casino lawfully, Crown has remediated its business in other meaningful ways such as building a culture of transparency and accountability across its integrated resort.
“Hard work and transformation aside, the NICC has not forgotten the level of misconduct exposed in 2021 when Crown was found unsuitable,” said Mr Crawford.
“Crown Sydney has ongoing work to reach steady state and it must continue to lift standards and maintain its cultural transformation.
“There is and will always be room for improvement, but Crown is a changed business that is looking toward the future.
“Likewise, the NICC is a changed regulator with enhanced powers, a singular focus on casinos, and a mandate to address the risks of harm.
“This decision is a positive outcome for Crown Sydney, its staff, and the community – who can be sure the NICC will use all of its powers to keep the casino in check.”
In addition to the implementation of hundreds of new internal controls, the Bergin-based reforms have been reflected in a new licence and new regulatory agreement between Crown Sydney, the NSW Government and the NICC.
These agreements include updated settings, such as the removal of fetters to the NICC’s powers, as well as previous compensation trigger clauses that are no longer part of the casino legislation.
Mr Crawford said: “Crown cannot disregard the responsibility and privilege that comes with holding a casino licence. Crown Sydney’s ability to provide a destination hospitality and entertainment venue underpinned by the restricted gaming facility is contingent on its steadfast commitment to continuing suitability, accountability and compliance.”
The post Crown Reinstated at Sydney Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
ACMA Reveals Illegal Gambling Crackdown Results
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) revealed the outcome of a crackdown on illegal online gambling services operating around the time of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The report published shows that 200 offshore services were reviewed in the lead-up to and during the event. Of those services, 21 were investigated as they appeared to be directly targeting Australians. As a result, 18 services were found to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Following notification of the ACMA’s findings, three of those services withdrew from the Australian market, while the remaining 15 services had their websites blocked by internet service providers at the request of the ACMA.
ACMA authority member and online gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood said the sites were unlicensed to provide wagering services in Australia and in some cases also offered interactive gambling services such as online casinos and slots or online in-play betting, which are all banned in Australia.
“Illegal gambling operations often take advantage of high-profile sporting events to push their services onto fans. These sites also offer none of the consumer protections that apply to licensed wagering services in Australia. Using these sites is more than a gamble as you have no rights and even if you win, you may never see the money,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
Since 2019, the ACMA has been asking internet service providers to block gambling websites found to be operating in breach of Australian interactive gambling laws. Over that time, more than 900 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.
More than 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing illegal offshore gambling rules.
Minimising gambling harm is a current ACMA compliance priority and Australians can check on the ACMA’s online register to see if a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia.
More information about online gambling is available on the ACMA’s website, including information on how to protect yourself from illegal gambling operators and instructions on how to make a complaint about an illegal site.
The post ACMA Reveals Illegal Gambling Crackdown Results appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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