Australia
Australia’s Minister for Communications Appoints Mr Richard Eccles to Lead the First Statutory Review of BetStop
The Minister for Communications has appointed Mr Richard Eccles to lead the first statutory review of BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register.
Implemented by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, BetStop covers all Australian licensed interactive wagering service providers, prohibiting them from opening a new account or accepting bets from self‑excluded individuals, or sending them marketing material. Wagering providers are also required to close existing betting accounts for registered individuals.
Wagering has been identified to cause financial harm and impacts to relationships, physical health, mental health and work performance.
Registering for BetStop, and ceasing wagering, can assist in reducing the extent of these harms to individuals and their community. Since its commencement in August 2023, more than 30,000 Australians have registered. Notably, 79% of registrants are aged 40 and under and 39% have registered for a lifetime ban. Some 23,000 people have active exclusions.
Based on BetStop registrations to date, and evidence from similar programmes, lifetime registrations for BetStop could have achieved a total cost saving of between $80-$135 million in the first year.
The review will add to the evidence base on the impacts of BetStop in Australia and voluntary exclusion programmes to help inform future policy.
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 requires a review of BetStop after 12 months of operation to ensure it is working effectively as a measure to protect vulnerable Australians from gambling harm.
An experienced senior public sector leader, Mr Eccles brings a strong mix of governance, executive management and advisory expertise to the role, along with relevant experience in the areas of public health, online safety and technology.
The review will consider the effectiveness of BetStop’s underpinning regulatory framework and whether regulatory arrangements under the the Interactive Gambling (National Self-Exclusion Register) Register Rules 2022 and the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Act 2019 are fit for purpose.
A consultation process will open later in 2024 which will enable feedback to be provided that can be considered to inform any future changes. Mr Eccles will deliver his final review report and findings to the Minister for Communications within 18 months, and this report will be tabled in Parliament.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“There has been a massive take-up of BetStop in its first 12 months, making a meaningful difference and changing the lives of thousands of Australians and their families.
“We want to make sure BetStop is working as effectively as possible to protect vulnerable Australians from gambling harms – which is why my department is undertaking this review.
“I encourage people who’ve registered or interacted with BetStop to participate in our upcoming public consultation so we can take on your feedback to inform any future changes.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP:
“Preventing and reducing online gambling harms is a priority for this government, and we’ve taken a number of strong actions to this end.
“This review is an opportunity to ensure that BetStop – a key measure – is operating effectively.
“Protecting vulnerable Australians from online gambling harms is not a set and forget proposition – and we’ll continue to work closely with stakeholders across government, industry and community to address this pervasive issue.”
The post Australia’s Minister for Communications Appoints Mr Richard Eccles to Lead the First Statutory Review of BetStop appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Andrew Cardno
QCI Launches its Data Community Platform in Australia
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has launched its Data Community platform in Australia, bringing unified consumer intelligence to the rapidly expanding $13 trillion global Fun Economy. By connecting venues, retailers and destination districts into a single interoperable ecosystem, the platform enables real-time insights, personalised engagement and seamless digital-to-physical experiences.
The Data Community platform enables smarter staffing, stronger tenant collaboration and more personalised engagement, helping operators manage increasingly complex, high-traffic environments. The global “Fun Economy” — spanning leisure, hospitality, retail and entertainment — is valued at over $13 trillion, according to joint research from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Zero Labs.
Tony Toohey, Director of TT Management welcomed the platform’s availability in Australia: “The Australian market is increasingly focused on connected, experience-led destinations,” said Toohey.
“Operators here understand the importance of breaking down data silos and collaborating across venues and partners. QCI’s Data Community platform arrives at the right time, enabling a more coordinated and commercially intelligent approach to managing entertainment and hospitality environments.”
Andrew Cardno, Co-Founder and CTO of QCI, said: “Australia represents a sophisticated and forward-looking market for experience-driven destinations,” said Cardno.
“By bringing Data Community to the region, we are equipping operators with the tools to unify their data, understand guest journeys more deeply and curate experiences — not just transactions.”
QCI’s technology is deployed in more than 1000 sites globally, including over 300 casino resorts across North America, Australia and Europe. The company’s platform supports leading brands across gaming, hospitality and mixed-use entertainment districts, helping operators align marketing, operations and guest engagement within a single intelligence framework.
With the launch of Data Community in Australia, QCI continues to expand its role as the intelligence layer powering connected destinations across the evolving Fun Economy.
The post QCI Launches its Data Community Platform in Australia appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Australia
NSW: Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28 and Regulatory Priorities 2026
Liquor & Gaming NSW has published the Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28, setting a clear path for reducing harm, supporting responsible industry growth and meeting evolving community expectations. The Strategy outlines Hospitality and Racing’s vision, regulatory posture and strategic objectives.
It outlines three strategic objectives which will guide the work to support communities, individuals and the industry. The first is targeted harm reduction, using better data, education and engagement to focus on the areas where we can make the biggest difference.
The second is outcome‑focused, responsive regulation, by making use of streamlined, place‑based and community‑informed approaches that deliver meaningful, real-world outcomes.
Third is promoting modern tools, skilled teams and smart decisions, investing in its capability, improving how it uses data and supporting consistent decision making across hospitality and racing.
Regulatory Priorities 2026
Alongside the new strategy, Liquor & Gaming NSW has also issued its Regulatory Priorities 2026. This sets out where the department will be focusing its regulatory attention over course of the year. It provides transparency on Liquor & Gaming’s forward regulatory agenda and gives the industry the opportunity to proactively engage about the issues they are concerned about.
The post NSW: Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28 and Regulatory Priorities 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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.
-
Blueprint Gaming5 days agoBlueprint Gaming unleashes Frankenstein’s Fortune blending dynamic modifiers with multi-path bonus offering
-
Compliance Updates7 days agoHow to Apply for a Finnish iGaming License: Gaming in Finland Webinar on Application Steps and Technical Standards
-
Big Daddy Gaming7 days agoBig Daddy Gaming® Expands European Footprint After MGA Licence Approval
-
Latest News4 days agoGGBET UA hosts Media Game – an open FC Dynamo Kyiv training session with journalists from sports publications
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoMGA Publishes Results of Thematic Review on Self-exclusion Practices in Online Gaming Sector
-
Amusnet6 days agoAmusnet Unveils Casino Engineering and Technology Milestones Achieved in 2025
-
Brais Pena Chief Strategy Officer at Easygo7 days agoStake Goes Live in Denmark Following Five-Year Licence Approval
-
Dan Brown5 days agoGames Global and Foxium return to the Colosseum in Rome Fight for Gold the Tiger’s Rage™



