Australia
Queensland Parliament Passes New Laws Restricting Cash Gambling at Casinos
The Queensland Parliament has passed new laws restricting cash gambling at casinos. New laws will increase regulatory scrutiny and enhance the integrity of Queensland casinos, with a focus on reducing gambling harm.
The reforms enable the government to implement the remaining recommendations of the Review of the Queensland operations of The Star Entertainment Group by the Honourable Robert Gotterson AO KC.
It marks the second raft of substantial legislative changes to the Casino Control Act 1982 in the past two years.
Under the legislation, casinos will be required to:
- implement mandatory carded play for certain games and activities, with restrictions on the use of cash, as well as mandatory pre-commitment, with time limits and enforced player breaks
- issue player cards and collect information relating to play and provide certain de-identified data to the regulator
- comply with an enforceable code of conduct to be defined in a regulation
- pay a supervision levy to the government to cover the costs of casino regulation and to fund harm minimisation programs
- take steps to exclude people who are banned from interstate casinos by an interstate police commissioner.
The legislation increases regulatory scrutiny, requiring Queensland casinos to undergo a periodic review of their operations and suitability at least every five years. Certain outdated and potentially stigmatising language was also removed from the legislation.
The reforms also enhance and modernise casino inspectorate powers, by updating the way inspectors may request information and allowing them to interview minors and excluded persons on casino premises (if the minor or excluded person is found on the premises).
The new laws represent the second set of substantial reforms to the Casino Control Act in the past two years.
Previous reforms implemented by the government in 2022 removed barriers to disciplinary action and ensure that meaningful penalties could be levelled against casinos where warranted.
The earlier reforms, which allowed government to fine casino entities up to $100 million and appoint a special manager to oversee their operations, were key in disciplinary action taken against The Star Entertainment Group in December 2022.
Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath:
“Queenslanders have the right to expect casinos are being operated lawfully and in a way that minimises harm.
“The new laws will help ensure Queensland casinos operate with integrity and that they have measures in place to prevent gambling harm and combat money laundering.
“Importantly, these reforms pave the way to implementing the remaining recommendations of the Gotterson Review, with the government now focused on developing the regulations required to enforce these reforms.”
The post Queensland Parliament Passes New Laws Restricting Cash Gambling at Casinos appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
ACMA
ACMA Blocks More Illegal Online Gambling Websites
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:
Lucky Mate
Vegastars
Wombet
Cosmobet
Fortune Play
Fortunica
Rolletto
Velobet
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, 1518 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. Over 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 Online Gambling Websites appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Australia
Regulating the Game 2026 Sydney — One Month Countdown as Sector Leaders Anticipate Inaugural RTG Global Awards
With a month left until Regulating the Game 2026 Sydney, the final arrangements are in progress for the industry’s premier event on gambling regulation, compliance, integrity, and safer gambling, scheduled for 9–11 March 2026 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.
Currently in its sixth edition, Regulating the Game has become a platform for in-depth, cross-jurisdictional analysis of gambling regulation and industry performance, emphasizing the interplay between regulatory frameworks, market structures, and organizational capacity in practice. The 2026 initiative unites regulators, policymakers, operators, advisors, and technology experts to explore the translation of regulatory intent into practical application, as well as the evolution of industry systems, governance, and behaviors in light of increased scrutiny and reform.
A Program Centered on System Efficiency and Compliance Circumstances
The 2026 conference agenda is designed to transition purposefully from context to analysis to application, exploring how gambling regulation, market design, organizational capability, and leadership influence real-world results. Over three days, the program examines not just the pathway of regulatory reform, but also how these reforms are integrated, implemented, and challenged within intricate gambling settings facing ongoing evaluation and transformation.
Sessions cover public policy, regulatory practice, sector performance, and innovation, focusing on:
• The strategic direction of gambling regulation, enforcement and supervision, and how regulatory posture is evolving post-inquiry and reform
• The operational reality of compliance, including AML/CTF supervision, financial crime risk, and implementation challenges and opportunities
• Safer gambling governance, consumer protection frameworks and the application of RegTech at scale
• Market structure, black and grey market dynamics, and the unintended consequences of regulatory design choices
• Technology, data governance, RegTech and the use of AI to support integrity, oversight and organisational decision-making
• Leadership, accountability, culture and the capability required to translate policy intent into durable operational outcomes
The agenda integrates keynote addresses, moderated panels, expert masterclasses and Industry Spotlight sessions, designed to support informed debate while grounding discussion in real-world regulatory and operational experience.
Global RTG Awards to Be Presented for the First Time
A key aspect of Regulating the Game 2026 is the introduction of the first Regulating the Game Global Awards, which honor leadership, stewardship, and measurable effects in areas such as sector direction and reform, compliance, safer gambling, technology, and community results.
The Global Awards were created to offer impartial, thorough acknowledgment of individuals, organizations, and solutions that are enhancing standards and leading to improved regulatory and social results. Finalists have been verified in six categories after an objective evaluation by a judging panel made up of senior leaders with extensive knowledge in regulation, law, integrity, governance, and responsible gambling.
The RTG Global Awards Gala Dinner will take place as a central event of the conference agenda, allowing finalists, peers, and industry stakeholders to engage in the Awards without needing to attend the entire conference.
Pitch! Showcase and Industry Interaction
The conference agenda includes Pitch!, a forum by Regulating the Game for exploring both new and traditional methods to tackle regulatory, compliance, and safer gambling issues. Pitch! highlights research, practical technologies, operating models, and concepts being implemented or tested in regulated settings, and analyzes how innovation is embraced, managed, and expanded in conjunction with current systems and controls.
Paul Newson, Founder of Regulating the Game and Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, stated that the 2026 event signifies the growth and significance of the existing regulatory landscape:
“Regulating the Game exists to engage honestly with how gambling regulation, sector performance and organisational capability intersect in practice – not just policy intent, but how expectations are interpreted, implemented and sustained over time.
The Global Awards sit alongside that purpose. They recognise and help surface leadership, stewardship and practical work that is lifting capability, strengthening governance and positioning organisations – and the sector more broadly – for more resilient and sustainable operation. The intent is to cultivate credible leadership voices and highlight work that is demonstrably improving outcomes.”
The post Regulating the Game 2026 Sydney — One Month Countdown as Sector Leaders Anticipate Inaugural RTG Global Awards appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Australia
Konami’s SYNK Vision Named Finalist in Regulating the Game Global Awards 2026
Konami Gaming subsidiary Konami Australia is a finalist in the Regulating the Game Global Awards 2026, adjudicated by representatives from the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL), The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) and Leagues Clubs Australia. Konami’s SYNK Vision biometric player tracking solution has been named a finalist for “RegTech Solution of the Year”, recognising innovative technology improving compliance, anti-money laundering (AML), safer gambling or integrity outcomes.
Tom Soukup, senior vice president & chief systems product officer at Konami Gaming, said: “The potential for SYNK Vision to deliver transformative advancement is unmistakable, especially as it relates to anti-money laundering, compliance, and player protection. This important acknowledgement of Konami’s SYNK Vision in the Regulating the Game Global Awards is credit to our valued casino customers and team members for working collaboratively, pushing casino systems technology to new heights of innovation, efficiency, and responsibility.”
Organised by the annual gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game, the Regulating the Game Global Awards 2026 event takes place on March 10 in Sydney, Australia. SYNK Vision has been independently selected as a finalist in this year’s programme, bringing Konami’s patented facial-recognition technology to the forefront of responsible gaming. Installed at casino table games and electronic gaming machines (EGMs), SYNK Vision can securely identify, track and protect players automatically based on biometric facial characteristics, regardless of whether they are members of the venue’s established player loyalty programme.
Gerard Crosby, senior vice president & chief games product officer at Konami Gaming and director of Konami Australia, said: “SYNK Vision equips gaming facilities to rapidly detect barred players, immediately notifying personnel and locking the machine from play if associated with an EGM—all while preserving player privacy across its gaming ecosystem. In addition, its advanced identity‑verification capabilities enhance AML tracking and compliance efforts across regulated venues. Konami is happy to support regulated gaming markets with this previously unattainable ability, to the benefit of countless communities and individuals.”
The post Konami’s SYNK Vision Named Finalist in Regulating the Game Global Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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