Australia
Victoria’s Gambling Industry Held to Account
In 2023–24, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) took 88 disciplinary actions against gambling licensees and employees, demonstrated zero tolerance for betting on or by minors, and began implementing a new risk-based, intelligence-led regulatory approach.
Tabled in Victoria’s Parliament, the VGCCC annual report demonstrates a commitment to ensuring gambling providers not only live up to the letter of the law but abide by its spirit.
“Our regulatory response is proportionate to the risks posed and harms caused when a gambling operator fails to comply with its obligations,” VGCCC Chair Fran Thorn said.
“We have no tolerance for deliberate or opportunistic contraventions of the law and will not hesitate to take appropriate action when we detect a breach.”
During the year, the VGCCC undertook more than 1600 audits, completed 2770 inspections of venues across the state, including a regional blitz, and brought 10 successful prosecutions.
Disciplinary action was taken against various licensees, including Tabcorp and the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH). They included fining:
• Tabcorp $1 million for repeated failure to comply with directions during a VGCCC investigation into a major system outage
• ALH $480,000 for operating poker machines at 8 venues outside of nominated trading hours and failing to observe mandatory shutdown periods
• Myndit Pty Ltd, the former operator of the Rye Hotel, $80,000 for multiple breaches of cheque payment and financial record-keeping requirements. On one occasion, Myndit paid a cheque for poker machine winnings to a person who was not in the venue at the time the winnings were accrued.
Ms Thorn highlighted the success of the VGCCC’s new tip-off function, which makes it easier for members of the public to anonymously report inappropriate or suspicious conduct.
“In the first year, we received more than 260 tip-offs across a range of issues,” she said.
Following an online complaint from a member of the public, the VGCCC investigated and prosecuted bookmaker Bluebet Pty Ltd for illegally displaying gambling advertising on a public road. The company was found guilty of 43 charges and fined $50,000.
“We also worked with the AFL to implement tighter controls for Brownlow Medal voting and betting following reports that an umpire allegedly leaked the results of round-by-round voting in 2022.
“And in response to community concerns, we engaged with sports controlling bodies to successfully ban betting in Victoria on all under-19 sporting competitions and the performance of individual players under the age of 18 in junior and senior sports.”
In March 2024, after 2 years under the supervision of the government-appointed Special Manager, the VGCCC determined Crown Melbourne was fit to hold the casino licence.
“The licence comes with strict operating conditions, including that Crown continue its reform program under a 3-year Transformation Plan against which it will be held to account,” Ms Thorn said.
“We have a responsibility to ensure gambling activities in Victoria are conducted in compliance with regulatory obligations and providers operate safely, fairly and with integrity.”
The post Victoria’s Gambling Industry Held to Account appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Mindway AI, a leader in player protection solutions for the gaming industry, is pleased to announce a partnership with Crown Resorts to introduce GameScanner to their Australian operations. This partnership marks the largest global implementation of Mindway’s technology in a physical setting and is the first land-based application in Australia, setting a new industry standard and aligning with Crown’s commitment to safe and sustainable gaming.
GameScanner is an award-winning AI solution, trained by gambling harm experts, researchers, and psychologists, to better enable effective checks, with a focus on player well-being and preventative measures. GameScanner’s highly advanced technology enables operators to understand the risk distribution among their guests, allowing these risks to be identified and addressed to enhance player protection.
“The introduction of this technology at Crown is yet another example of our commitment to continuous safety improvements and harm minimisation,” said Dr Jamie Wiebe, Group EGM of Crown PlaySafe. “This will greatly assist in identifying risks and preventing harms from occurring in the first place, which is a major focus for us at Crown. In collaboration with our Crown PlaySafe initiatives, technology plays a critical role in helping us provide a safe environment and uphold our industry-leading standards for our guests.”
This partnership marks a new era for the growing Mindway AI, as the company expands its application of AI solutions into land-based settings. GameScanner currently engages with just over 12.8 million active players in 64 global jurisdictions each month.
“We are thrilled to partner with Crown Resorts in this significant initiative,” said Rasmus Kjaergaard CEO at Mindway AI. “Our shared vision for player welfare is the foundation of this collaboration. Our move into land-based applications signifies a significant milestone for Mindway AI. With GameScanner, we are reinforcing our commitment to player welfare across all gaming platforms, creating an environment where care and safety are paramount.”
The implementation of GameScanner marks a pivotal enhancement to Crown Resorts’ harm minimisation framework and reiterates the company’s dedication to industry-leading standards.
The post Mindway AI and Crown Resorts Partner to Launch Revolutionary Player Protection appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined online bookmaker QuestBet $80,000 for continuing to accept bets from a customer displaying observable signs of gambling-related distress.
Announcing the fine, VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan said QuestBet’s non-compliance with its gambling harm minimisation obligations was indicative of a concerning culture.
“Our investigation of QuestBet’s practices found the bookmaker failed to have in place adequate systems to protect individuals identifiably at risk of gambling harm,” Ms Neilan said.
“Minimising gambling harm is an obligation every operator holds – including bookmakers – who must monitor customer wellbeing and intervene if they observe signs of distress.
“This substantial penalty demonstrates the seriousness of the bookmaker’s failure to meet its legal and moral obligations.”
The VGCCC investigation was prompted by a complaint from a customer who claimed QuestBet had allowed them to continue betting – and losing – a significant sum of money in a matter of weeks, without intervention.
“We found that between April and June 2023, the customer contacted QuestBet more than 20 times to request additional credits and bonus bets. On 6 occasions, they mentioned having experienced several large losses.
“This was a clear sign that the customer was struggling. A sign that QuestBet chose to ignore, instead encouraging and enabling the customer to keep gambling with the aid of bonus bets in 5 of the 6 occasions.
“Consequently, the customer lost about $15,000 over two months,” Ms Neilan said.
Staff of gambling operators must provide assistance to customers facing negative consequences from their gambling. There is a range of tools and resources staff might suggest to customers in this situation to assist them to, for example, set and track time and money limits, take a break, self-exclude or access help services.
“QuestBet suggested none of these, thereby breaching the Victorian Bookmakers’ Association Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct and causing further distress to the customer.
“Nor did the bookmaker formally respond to our request for an explanation for its lack of care or a reason not to be sanctioned, despite requesting, and being granted, several extensions to do so,” Ms Neilan said.
The post VGCCC Imposes $80,000 Fine on Online Bookmaker QuestBet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Leading gaming law and regulation conference Regulating the Game has announced the appointment of Tracy Parker, Senior Vice-President, Accreditation, Advisory and Insights at the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), to the judging panel for the inaugural RTG Global Awards. Parker will represent RGC, a globally respected independent non-profit dedicated to reducing gambling harm, in assessing nominations across categories recognising leadership, innovation and community impact.
The RTG Global Awards, to be presented at the 2026 Gala Dinner on Tuesday 10 March at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, celebrate excellence across safer gambling, compliance, industry integrity, financial crime risk management and community contribution.
Parker brings nearly 30 years of experience in driving social responsibility and sustainability, and over a decade championing harm minimization throughout the gambling sector. At RGC, she leads the development and implementation of robust standards and assurance programs, helping organizations deliver safer gambling environments and drive continuous improvement. Her previous leadership roles at Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) strengthened responsible gambling policies across multiple gaming verticals.
“RGC is honored to join the judging panel for the inaugural RTG Global Awards and support this important platform which elevates leadership, integrity, and innovation across the gambling sector. At a time when industry transformation and public expectations are accelerating, recognizing organizations that meaningfully prioritize harm prevention and player wellbeing is critical to a safe and sustainable sector. We are proud to be part of this important work,” said Sarah McCarthy, RGC’s Chief Executive Officer.
Founded in Canada, RGC has spent over four decades as a global leader in gambling harm prevention. Through research, education and partnerships with regulators, operators and communities, RGC drives policy and operational improvements to ensure gambling does not harm people or the places they live.
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, said: “Tracy’s leadership and RGC’s global standing in safer gambling make them an ideal addition to the RTG Global Awards judging panel. Their commitment to practical, evidence-informed standards and constructive industry engagement reflects the values we seek to highlight through these awards. We’re delighted to welcome Tracy and RGC to this global initiative.”
The inaugural RTG Global Awards will feature six categories:
• Leadership Voice – for principled, reform-focused leadership contributing to sector uplift
• Safer Gambling Champion – for operators or organisations delivering tangible harm minimisation outcomes
• Compliance Excellence – recognising uplift in AML, risk culture or regulatory compliance
• RegTech Solution of the Year – celebrating innovative technologies improving sector integrity and compliance
• Community Impact Initiative – for initiatives delivering measurable community benefit
• Emerging Leader – Safer Gambling or Compliance – spotlighting rising talent (under 40) making meaningful contributions.
The post Tracy Parker Joins Judging Panel for Inaugural RTG Global Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
eSports2 days agoTEAM VITALITY AND HUMMEL LAUNCH ALTERNATE JERSEY AND EXCLUSIVE APPAREL COLLECTION
-
Conferences in Europe5 days agoEGT Digital and EGT to rock the show at SiGMA Euro-Med 2025
-
Africa5 days ago
QTech Games wins Best Innovation of the Year at the 2025 SBWA+ Eventus Awards
-
Colombia5 days ago
Spintec Strengthens its Partnership with Merkur in Colombia and Peru
-
Latest News4 days ago
Octoplay advances on its European growth strategy by partnering with Evoke Group in the UK and Denmark
-
Blanka Homor Sales Director at Playson4 days ago
Playson strengthens Ontario foothold with Casino Time integration
-
Baltics4 days ago
CT Interactive Expands its Certified Game Portfolio in Latvia
-
Balkans4 days ago
CT Gaming Secures Certification for its Latest Multigame – Diamond King 5
