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.
Australia
Martin Pakula Named Chair of Crown Melbourne

Crown Resorts has announced that The Hon. Martin Pakula will join the Board of Crown Melbourne, effective May 1, 2025, and will succeed Mr. Ian Silk, as Chair, from July 1, 2025.
As Chair, Mr. Silk has successfully led Crown Melbourne through a period of unprecedented remediation and transformation during the past two and a half years. Mr. Silk’s strong leadership through the organisation’s operational and cultural transformation, saw Crown Melbourne regain its licence from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission. To ensure a seamless transition Mr Silk will remain in his role until 1 July 2025.
As incoming Chair, Mr. Pakula brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously served as Attorney-General, and Minister for Tourism, Sport, and Major Events in the Victorian government. He currently serves as Chair of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
Crown Resorts CEO, Mr. David Tsai, said: “Martin’s appointment comes at an exciting time as Crown continues to focus on innovation and growth. I look forward to Crown benefiting from Martin’s extensive industry and leadership experience. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Ian for his exceptional leadership and the pivotal role he played in overseeing Crown Melbourne’s extensive transformation.”
Mr. Silk said: “It has been an honour to serve as Chair. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved over the past two and a half years, and I want to thank everyone at Crown Melbourne for their dedication and hard work. I’m confident Crown Melbourne will continue to thrive with Martin’s leadership.”
Mr. Pakula said: “I am delighted to accept the role of Chair at Crown Melbourne and to play a role in its exciting future. Crown is an iconic business that is a critical part of Victoria’s economy, tourism and entertainment industry.”
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Australia
TheLotter Australia: Exciting Changes to the US Mega Millions

Big changes have arrived at the US Mega Millions lottery! From April 8, 2025, better jackpot odds, higher minimum prizes, an improved, built-in multiplier, and a modified Mega Number pool are available – making the game better than ever. To make these great changes possible, ticket prices increased from US$2 to US$5.
The revamped version of this lottery will feature a built-in Multiplier – 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or even 10x. The Multiplier will boost non-jackpot winnings based on the number drawn before the draw at no extra cost! As a result, the second-prize winnings could reach an incredible US$10 million. If the Multiplier concept sounds familiar, it’s because, before these changes, players had to pay extra to opt in for the Megaplier; however, the new Multiplier boosts winnings automatically! Moreover, the adaptation to the Mega Numbers pool will streamline the Mega Ball matrix and help form winning matches by reducing the amount of the total number from 25 to 24.
At TheLotter Australia, customers can purchase entries to US MegaLuck, where their selections are matched with an official lottery ticket in the corresponding US Mega Millions draw from licenced US Mega Millions retailers. Since US MegaLuck mirrors the original draw, the changes in April 2025 will apply to it as well.
“It’s exciting to see Mega Millions evolving with major changes that make this popular draw even more appealing to both new and seasoned players. I’m thrilled that customers in Australia can enjoy the revamped game seamlessly through TheLotter Australia’s website and app. And when they win, the customers receive their full prize amount, before taxes are deducted,” said Piers Morgan, Director at TheLotter Australia.
Australians passionate about American lotteries can also join the US MegaLuck draw easily and securely at TheLotter Australia. When a customer wins, TheLotter Australia notifies them promptly. Small prizes are deposited directly into the customers’ accounts, while TheLotter Australia assists with claiming larger prizes.
The post TheLotter Australia: Exciting Changes to the US Mega Millions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
Changes to Tipping Off Offence Came into Effect in Australia

Businesses and individuals bound by the tipping off offence must now consider whether a disclosure could be expected to prejudice an investigation, under changes to the AML/CTF laws that came into force on March 31.
The changes to the offence, which carries a maximum penalty of around $39,000 or up to 2 years in prison, are now focussed on the harms that could flow from a disclosure.
AUSTRAC CEO, Mr Brendan Thomas, said the change is part of AML/CTF reforms passed late last year to expand and simplify the legislation.
“The previous legislation was almost 20 years old and a lot has changed in that time,” Mr Thomas said.
“AUSTRAC is about to usher in 100,000 new businesses to the regime next year and they too will be subject to the tipping off offence.
“The change to the offence is about balancing intelligence gathering with practicality to ensure we can all get the best outcome – identifying criminal activity and driving money laundering out of legitimate businesses.
“We need businesses to work with us to detect illicit transactions – tipping off risks criminals getting a heads up. Criminals can then take action to hide or disguise their illegal activities. However, we know that effective information sharing within and between businesses helps stop money laundering.”
Businesses and individuals covered by the AML/CTF legislation, including banks, casinos, remitters and money lenders, are now prohibited from disclosing certain information to another person (other than AUSTRAC), only where it would or could reasonably be expected to prejudice an investigation.
“The move to a focus on harms strikes a better balance between protecting law enforcement investigations and allowing industry to collaborate in fighting money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious crimes.”
While the tipping off offence changes from March 31, most of the obligations under the amended AML/CTF Act will not come into effect until 2026, when entities in real estate, accounting, precious stones and metals and digital assets come under AUSTRAC’s remit.
The post Changes to Tipping Off Offence Came into Effect in Australia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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