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Crown Approved to Retain its Melbourne Licence

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The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has ruled Australian casino giant Crown Resorts can keep its Crown Melbourne casino licence.

The full Commission decided that Crown Melbourne has addressed the failings identified by the 2021 Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence.

Commission Chair Fran Thorn said that the Royal Commission detailed how Crown Melbourne had breached its legal, social and moral obligations, resulting in illegal activities, tax avoidance, money laundering, criminal associations and significant harm to vulnerable community members, ultimately finding Crown Melbourne unsuitable to hold the Melbourne Casino Licence.

“Despite the enormity of its findings, the Finkelstein Royal Commission recommended Crown be permitted to continue operating under stringent independent oversight conditions for two years, determining it had the will and capacity to transform itself to again become suitable, which would be to Victoria’s benefit,” she said.

The Victorian Government responded decisively to the Royal Commission’s findings, appointing a Special Manager to oversee Crown Melbourne’s operations and remediation. It also established the VGCCC as a new regulator focussed solely on the gambling industry and created a specific set of enhanced powers with respect to the Melbourne casino.

The Commission was given the responsibility of deciding whether it was clearly satisfied that Crown Melbourne had returned to suitability and whether the Melbourne Casino Licence remained in the public interest. In making its independent determination, the Commission carefully considered the reports of the Royal Commission and other relevant inquiries, the reports of the Special Manager. Those reports considered the steps Crown Melbourne had taken to address the matters identified by the Royal Commission and the measures to ensure they would not be repeated.

Commissioner Thorn said the Special Manager’s final report concluded that Crown Melbourne has remediated the failings exposed in the Royal Commission and established the critical foundations needed to achieve sustainable overall transformation in coming years.

“There was no evidence of maladministration or illegal or improper conduct indicative of the serious and systemic failures previously identified by the Royal Commission, and these failings had been addressed,” she said.

Commissioner Thorn said that Crown Melbourne had demonstrated to the satisfaction of both the Commission and the Special Manager that it had introduced extensive reforms to prevent or reduce gambling harm, financial crime and money laundering. It has also addressed systemic risk management failures and strengthened its integrity framework.

“During our investigations, we observed a different Crown Melbourne emerging with a clear understanding of the privilege and obligations of holding the Melbourne Casino Licence,” she said.

The Commission’s decision was also supported by Crown Melbourne’s comprehensive transformation plan, required by the Special Manager, against which it will continue to be held accountable going forward.

“That transformation plan will be at the heart of our oversight, along with Crown’s legal and social obligations, and provides the next level standard for Crown Melbourne. The Commission will require Crown Melbourne to deliver further transformation through a statutory direction that will be issued shortly,” she said.

Along with the VGCCC’s strengthened oversight regime and enforcement powers, the VGCCC has established a new, specialist Casino Division providing confidence that Crown Melbourne will be held stringently accountable in the future, including for its ongoing transformation.

Commissioner Thorn said: “In return for the privilege of an exclusive licence, Victorians have a right to expect that Crown Melbourne will never again prioritise profit ahead of the safety and wellbeing of its patrons and staff or over compliance with its legal and social obligations.

“Crown Melbourne must continue to seek to rebuild and earn public trust by demonstrating the good character, honesty and integrity that are necessary to remain a suitable casino operator. We put Crown on notice that this Commission will not hesitate to act if the privilege of holding the casino licence is again abused.”

The post Crown Approved to Retain its Melbourne Licence appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Aristocrat Gaming

Aristocrat Gaming to Participate in Australian Hospitality & Gaming Expo

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Aristocrat Gaming is going to participate in the Australian Hospitality & Gaming Expo (AHG) this March.

Taking place from the 25 – 26 March at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Aristocrat Gaming will give customers a first-class pass to see their brand-new line up of content for the Australian and New Zealand markets, supported by its show-stopping hardware, The Baron Upright.

Demonstrating the continued growth of their portfolio for clubs, hotels and casinos across ANZ, Aristocrat Gaming will have a broad line-up of new games for this region. Players will be delighted with the new entertainment options, whilst giving customers a competitive edge in a very strong hospitality market.

“Our studio teams here in Australia, and across the world, have been focused on delivering ANZ-first content for players and we’re incredibly proud to show that to customers at the expo” said David Ronson, Managing Director Aristocrat Gaming ANZ.

“There are now also over 10,000 Baron Upright cabinets across Australia and New Zealand and we can’t wait to continue building that momentum with an exciting line up of new content for our customers that drive their business forward,” said David.

Cash Express Legend and Dragon Vault are two new games launching at the show, accompanied by Cash Horns and Jackpot Tales – two new game families that were released in late February. Highlights of the content line-up includes:

• Cash Express Legend – Reimagines the classic game theme with all new trains and games. The iconic train feature returns, but it’s enhanced with four trains, new jackpots, plus Repeat Win and feature-in-feature Hold & Spin.

• Dragon Vault – A strong game in North America, this game has been re-designed for the Australian player with stunning Asian themed games. The symbol-driven “Overlapping Bonuses” feature enables Hold & Spin upgrades.

• Cash Horns – A rampagingly good game featuring charging bulls, it features easy-to-follow game play, and multi-level Hold and Spin.

• Jackpot Tales – Combines all-time classic stories with up-to-date game play for an exciting experience where players take on a quest for golden treasure chests.

With an ever-expanding portfolio, Aristocrat Gaming continues to support the existing fleet, including new games for Heaven and Earth as well as Thunder Empire X, all of which will be on display at the expo.

The Gaming Systems business from Aristocrat Interactive will also showcase how it is innovating the patron experience. It provides venues with a powerful, all-in-one platform for player engagement, promotions, membership management and real-time gaming performance reporting. It’s designed for scalability to enable venues to seamlessly add modules to suit the growth of their business.

The post Aristocrat Gaming to Participate in Australian Hospitality & Gaming Expo appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo

IGT Showcases Integrated Gaming, Systems, and FinTech Innovations Designed to Drive Growth at Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo 2026

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IGT has announced that it will present a dynamic portfolio of games, systems and financial technology (FinTech) innovations at the 2026 Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo (AHG) in Brisbane, Queensland, March 25-26. In stand #9, IGT will highlight localised content and its unique capacity to integrate gaming systems and FinTech solutions to drive operational efficiency, revenue growth and player engagement.

“The Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo provides an excellent opportunity for IGT to demonstrate how our transformation can create value for our customers in Australia and New Zealand. We’re showcasing a strong regional portfolio of games, systems and FinTech that highlights our focus on expanded capabilities and enhanced content. We’re excited to present locally attuned versions of global hits such as Tiger and Dragon and Rising Rockets, plus regional games such as Golden Guardian Link and Hot Stuff Link, which both offer IGT’s new Superlink jackpot opportunities,” said Hector Fernandez, IGT Incoming CEO.

Product highlights within IGT’s AHG 2026 stand will include:

Versatile, next-generation Superlink jackpot: Superlink is a reimagined jackpot offering that affords operators additional choice and configurability options, while reducing jackpot liabilities across the gaming floor. Compatible with link games on IGT’s PeakDual27 and PeakCurve49 cabinets, Superlink jackpot will be showcased across IGT’s stand.

New, locally designed games: IGT’s Golden Guardian Link will debut at AHG, introducing a compelling hold-and-spin mechanic with super symbols that heighten the gameplay experience. IGT will also showcase the vibrant, chili-themed Hot Stuff Link, featuring a new prize wheel mechanic, and Bandit Link, a proven performer in the region that delivers fast-paced, high-volatility action.

Localized versions of global hits: IGT’s Tiger and Dragon and Rising Rockets multi-level progressive (MLP) games will be focal points of IGT’s AHG showcase. Featuring the player-favorite three-pot mechanic, global appeal and content-rich bonuses, these titles can help regional operators diversify their floors with proven titles with wide appeal.

Systems portfolio emphasizes seamless player and operator experience: enhancements to the IGT ADVANTAGE CLUB system will introduce additional player engagement opportunities, including the new Point Explosion bonus game. IGT’s systems advancements also help reduce friction within the solution’s anti-money laundering (AML) functionality via new EZ Automate, EZ Budget and EZ Reporting features.

Award-winning FinTech solutions: Everi, an IGT brand, will present the prestigious Everi Premium Cash Redemption Terminal (CRT), now compatible with tap functionality for smooth digital card interactions. In addition, Everi cash handling, compliance, RegTech, and payment solutions, featuring existing integrations with IGT systems, will be showcased via demos of digital wallet and card solutions implemented in New South Wales casinos and clubs.

The post IGT Showcases Integrated Gaming, Systems, and FinTech Innovations Designed to Drive Growth at Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Regulating the Game Global Awards: First-Ever Winners Announced

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Regulating the Game has declared the winners of the first RTG Global Awards, honoring exceptional leadership, stewardship, and excellence in gambling policy and regulation, safer gambling practices, compliance, technology, and community results.

The Awards were created to recognize the people, groups, and innovations that significantly contribute to integrity, public trust, and sustainable progress in the sector. After substantial worldwide involvement in the first year, victors have now been chosen in all six categories by an impartial judging panel made up of senior leaders with knowledge across industry, law, integrity, governance, and safer gambling.

The 2026 RTG Global Award winners are:

• Leadership Voice — Danny Munk, Wests Illawarra
• Safer Gambling Champion — Gamble Alert
• Compliance Excellence — Dominic Monti, Wests Illawarra
• RegTech Solution of the Year — Cherry Hub
• Community Impact Initiative — Nathan Reeves, Unibet
• Emerging Leader — Michael Simone, Bankstown Sports

The award winners showcase the diversity of leadership throughout the sector, from individuals steering the industry with vision and intent to those promoting excellence in compliance, innovation, responsible gambling, and community engagement.

RTG Founder and Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, Paul Newson, said the inaugural winners had set a strong benchmark for future years: “The inaugural RTG Global Awards were established to recognise substance, integrity and measurable contribution across the sector. This year’s winners represent the calibre of leadership, innovation and commitment required to strengthen regulatory practice, improve industry capability and deliver better outcomes for communities.”

“What distinguishes these recipients is not simply professional achievement, but their contribution to lifting standards, advancing safer gambling, strengthening compliance and demonstrating leadership in areas that matter to public confidence and sector credibility.”

The quality of this year’s nominations resulted in a very competitive field, with finalists chosen from an exceptional group of candidates in every category. Being shortlisted was already a noteworthy accomplishment, showcasing the quality of work, leadership, and contributions made by the finalists, while the eventual winners came from an incredibly competitive group.

The winners were selected following an independent assessment process led by a judging panel comprising:
• Don Hammond, Chief Executive Officer, Leagues Clubs Australia
• Jamie Nettleton, Former President, International Masters of Gaming Law and Partner, Addisons
• Khalid Ali, Chief Executive Officer, International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA)
• Tracy Parker, Senior Vice-President – Accreditation, Advisory and Insights, Responsible Gambling Council (Canada)

The RTG Global Awards form part of the broader Regulating the Game program, which brings together regulators, industry leaders, compliance professionals and innovators to examine critical issues, advance policy dialogue and strengthen sector capability.

The post Regulating the Game Global Awards: First-Ever Winners Announced appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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