Australia
Vanguard Overwatch is Hardening Gaming Venues Against Financial Crime and Working Towards Minimising Gambling Harm
Vanguard Overwatch is positioning itself as an essential partner for gaming venues and wagering operators, supporting them in navigating regulatory complexities and enhancing their operational integrity. Under the leadership of founder Paul Newson—whose impressive career spans regulation, governance, and public policy across several key domains—Vanguard Overwatch has launched a rigorous accreditation programme that redefines industry standards for anti-money laundering (AML) and responsible gambling practices.
At the core of Vanguard Overwatch’s approach is a comprehensive framework built on eight foundational pillars that ensure holistic evaluation and continuous improvement in key areas:
1. Strategy, Risk and Governance – Assessing board performance, strategic direction, risk appetite and governance structures to promote effective oversight, transparency and sustainability.
2. Safer Gambling Approach – Reviewing how safer gambling principles are embedded within organisational strategies, fostering a culture prioritising player protection and harm prevention.
3. AML/CTF Policies and Procedures – Conducting thorough evaluations of AML/CTF policies to ensure compliance and cultivate a culture resistant to financial crime.
4. Compliance with Codes of Practice – Enhancing compliance culture and leadership, demonstrating adherence to regulatory expectations and reinforcing social licence.
5. Assurance and Implementation – Going beyond policy review to test practical implementation and culture through observations and targeted sampling.
6. Training and Development – Emphasising the importance of continuous learning to empower staff, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet regulatory and operational challenges.
7. Compliance Culture – Promoting a transparent, ethically driven environment where compliance is embedded in decision-making and leadership behaviour.
8. Advertising, Marketing and Promotions – Ensuring responsible advertising practices that protect vulnerable groups and sustain public trust.
These pillars guide the accreditation process and reflect Vanguard Overwatch’s broader mission: to bolster ethical leadership, instil a proactive compliance culture and support continuous innovation within the industry. This approach allows gaming venues and wagering operators to strengthen their practices, align with the highest standards and confidently navigate an evolving regulatory environment while underscoring sector innovation and sustainability.
To complement its comprehensive accreditation framework, Vanguard Overwatch offers Reconnaissance, a preliminary health check service that provides a quick, high-level assessment of an organisation’s AML and responsible gambling arrangements. This service offers an authoritative snapshot that identifies the current state of compliance, pinpointing potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for improvement and remediation.
Another standout offering is Steward, a customisable service bundle tailored to provide specialised support to meet the specific needs of each organisation. This flexible solution includes priority regulatory advice and guidance, support for leadership teams and can be scaled up to provide comprehensive, turn-key solutions that cover strategic planning, compliance innovation and contributions to public policy and industry initiatives. By adapting to an organisation’s requirements, Steward empowers businesses to maintain robust compliance frameworks, drive continuous improvement and stay ahead in an ever-changing regulatory landscape.
With these added services, Vanguard Overwatch underscores its commitment to empowering gaming and wagering operators through preliminary and comprehensive assessments, targeted guidance and continuous support, ensuring they not only navigate but thrive amid regulatory challenges.
Paul Newson’s vision for Vanguard Overwatch extends beyond meeting existing regulations; it sets a benchmark for excellence that builds trust and promotes industry sustainability. Through rigorous assurance and ongoing evaluations, Vanguard Overwatch enables organisations to enhance their operations, protect their reputations and demonstrate leadership in responsible gambling and compliance.
The post Vanguard Overwatch is Hardening Gaming Venues Against Financial Crime and Working Towards Minimising Gambling Harm appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Light & Wonder Inc. has signed a seven-year Platform as a Service (PaaS) systems deal with SkyCity Entertainment Group in New Zealand and Australia. SkyCity will leverage L&W Engage to transform its casino floor and enhance the player experience. This collaboration includes software, hardware and custom development services.
SkyCity will also utilise the L&W Engage cutting-edge system to strengthen responsible gaming measures and customer engagement efforts. The technology includes loyalty features and tools that support safe, enjoyable gaming while fostering long-term, positive customer relationships.
“Light & Wonder is committed to delivering innovative technology that drives our customers’ success while fostering a responsible gaming environment. Our solutions are designed to enhance the player experience and boost operational efficiency, and we’re proud that L&W Engage supports initiatives that help our customers thrive responsibly,” said Jon Wolfe, President of Global Systems and Services at Light & Wonder.
“SkyCity is transforming the customer experience with the introduction of 100% carded play at our casinos. The PaaS collaboration with Light & Wonder is the foundation of how we will deliver best-in-class entertainment that prioritizes customer care,” said Judd Hallas, Group Manager Product Performance & Analysis, SkyCity.
Additionally, SkyCity will be upgrading their entire casino floors using L&W’s advanced iVISTA technology platform to further optimise the player interface offering flexibility in enhancing the at-game player experience, facilitating customer service and responsible gaming. Players will interact with the technology at a gaming machine via multi-touch displays, offering immediate response with vibrant animations and videos.
The post Light & Wonder Signs Multi-year Systems Deal with SkyCity Entertainment appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The NSW Government has made appointments to the board of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), including a deputy chairperson and two new members.
Associate Professor Amelia Thorpe and Nicholas Nichles have been appointed following a rigorous public expression of interest selection process. Additionally, existing member Chris Honey has been appointed deputy chairperson.
ILGA is a statutory decision-maker responsible for a range of liquor, registered club and gaming machine regulatory functions including determining licensing and disciplinary matters.
The appointments follow the end of the term of appointment for outgoing deputy chairperson Sarah Dinning, and also fill vacancies that existed on the board.
Mr Honey, who was appointed a member of ILGA earlier in 2024, has been named deputy chairperson until the end of his current appointment term (11 February 2027).
Mr Honey has extensive experience in the advisory and restructuring field, including working extensively in highly regulated sectors.
Associate Professor Thorpe and Mr Nichles have both been appointed for four years commencing 6 November 2024.
Associate Prof Thorpe is with the Faculty of Law & Justice at the University of New South Wales and an Acting Commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court.
Mr Nichles was previously a Consul General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Australian Government agency Austrade, based in the US.
The new appointments bring the ILGA board membership to seven. The new appointments will join chairperson Caroline Lamb, new deputy chairperson Mr Honey and current members Cathie Armour, Jeffrey Loy APM and Dr Suzanne Craig.
The post NSW Govt Appoints New Board Members to ILGA appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been recognised with an international award for regulatory excellence for the launch of BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) announced that the ACMA received the Regulatory Excellence Award at the 2024 global regulators conference, citing the complex delivery and regulatory challenges that were overcome to create Australia’s first centralised exclusion register.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin praised ACMA staff who worked on the initiative and the success of the register in helping people make considered and supported decisions about their gambling.
“BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register represents a significant enhancement of consumer safeguards available to Australians who gamble,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“The IAGR award for regulatory excellence is a recognition of the dedication and collaboration of ACMA staff in delivering this important safeguard, which has supported the more than 30,000 Australians registered to date.”
Figures released in August to mark the register’s first 12 months showed younger Australians embracing self-exclusion, with almost half of registrants aged 30 and under and around 80% aged 40 and under.
The post Australia’s BetStop Receives International Regulatory Award appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
BCLC7 days agoINTRALOT Announces New Project with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation for Online Lottery Platform
-
Betsson Group7 days ago
Betsson Group Celebrates Prestigious Wins at SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024
-
Latest News7 days ago
Amusnet Releases Extra Crown Dice
-
Balkans7 days ago
CT Interactive to Present Latest Content at BEGE 2024
-
Africa7 days ago
EveryMatrix secures largest African turnkey deal with MBet partnership
-
Asia7 days ago
8Bit Creatives partners with NODWIN Gaming as the exclusive talent partner for DreamHack India
-
Balkans6 days ago
BEGE celebrates 15 years as Eastern Europe’s premier gaming expo
-
Balkans6 days ago
Endorphina Partners with Volcanobet
