Australia
Christine Howlett Appointed as New Commissioner of NSW Independent Casino Commission
The NSW Government has appointed experienced public administrator Christine Howlett as a new Commissioner of the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) for a four-year term following a competitive recruitment process.
Ms Howlett fills the vacancy created by the departure of Craig Sahlin who served as a NICC Commissioner since 2022 and was a Board Member of the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) between 2016 and 2022.
The NICC is the independent statutory regulator of NSW’s two casinos, set up in 2022 to provide increased regulatory oversight of casino operations.
Ms Howlett joins the NICC with substantial executive leadership experience in public administration, corporate governance, regulation and stakeholder engagement.
From 2021 she served as Deputy Special Manager, independently overseeing Crown Melbourne’s remediation program following the findings of the Finkelstein Royal Commission, including reforms to prevent gambling harm and money laundering.
Ms Howlett has also held senior roles with Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission, the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Victoria’s Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants and the National Crime Authority.
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said: “An exhaustive selection process was undertaken to fill the NICC Commissioner role in accordance with legislative requirements, including the establishment of a selection panel and engagement of an independent probity adviser.
“Christine Howlett brings a wide range of skills and expertise to the NICC, with highly relevant experience in independently overseeing Crown Melbourne’s remediation program.
“She joins the NICC at a critical time with the regulator currently monitoring The Star casino’s ongoing remediation work following the Bell Two Inquiry.
“I would like to thank Craig Sahlin for his outstanding contribution to both the NICC and ILGA over the past eight years.
“His demonstrated expertise has significantly contributed to strengthening the government’s regulatory framework and public confidence and trust in the work of both the NICC and ILGA.”
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said: “The NICC is pleased to welcome Christine Howlett to the role and is looking forward to utilising her experience to advance the NICC’s strategic priorities.
“Christine’s skills will be valuable to help the NICC expand its surveillance and data collection abilities to better monitor financial crime risks and compliance.
“Christine’s expertise in building internal capacity will assist the NICC to maintain effective regulatory supervision past the remediation and suitability phases, and into longer-term sustainability.
“We thank Craig Sahlin for his exceptional work with the NICC and ILGA over the past eight years. His dedication was instrumental in advancing the NICC’s mission and his efforts have contributed to the achievement of significant milestones.”
The post Christine Howlett Appointed as New Commissioner of NSW Independent Casino Commission appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Aquisitions/Mergers
NextBet Launches as Acquisition Vehicle (AV) to Consolidate Mid-Market Operators; Announces Flagship Acquisition and Growth Strategy
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NextBet has announced its official launch, establishing itself as a bold new AV and challenger in the Australian wagering market. Formed to capitalise on the mounting pressure facing undercapitalised operators and an accelerating wave of industry consolidation, NextBet enters the market with the acquisition of well-established operator, CrossBet. This strategic move marks the first step in a bold plan to build Australia’s next dominant Tier Two wagering group under a united brand.
NextBet will be led by, Scott Cross, who will serve as Executive Director. The move is a strategic restructure designed to position the business for its next phase of inorganic expansion.
“The formation of NextBet creates the foundation to scale rapidly through an ambitious M&A strategy, while investing in proprietary capabilities to meet the demands of a changing wagering market,” said Cross.
Strategic Vision: The Path to Tier Two Dominance
NextBet is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy – rolling up undercapitalised lower-tier operators while driving operational efficiency through product, speed of profiling and a differentiated user experience that attracts and retains high-value customers.
To support this next phase of expansion, NextBet is actively seeking strategic investors who share its vision for reshaping the mid-market wagering landscape. Investment will be used to accelerate acquisitions, enhance platform capabilities and solidify NextBet’s position as the go-to consolidator in the Australian market.
The current $419M valuation for PointsBet Holdings Limited confirms that the market rewards scaled, tech-enabled operators with focused execution. NextBet’s model builds on this blueprint, designed to fill the emerging leadership void in the Tier Two segment with an advanced offering custom built for modern wagering dynamics.
NextBet is currently in advanced discussions with several additional acquisition targets and expects to announce further transactions in the coming quarters.
The post NextBet Launches as Acquisition Vehicle (AV) to Consolidate Mid-Market Operators; Announces Flagship Acquisition and Growth Strategy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The NSW Government has amended the Casino Control Regulation to extend the term of The Star’s manager Nick Weeks, who will continue to have oversight of casino operations until at least 31 March 2026.
The government extended Mr Weeks’ term at the request of the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) after the NICC declined to lift the suspension of The Star’s licence.
Mr Weeks will continue to hold the licence for The Star over the next six-month period, allowing the casino to operate gaming facilities while its licence remains suspended.
The NICC first appointed Mr Weeks to the role of manager in October 2022, when The Star’s casino licence was suspended following the first Bell Review.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said there was still too much uncertainty surrounding The Star to consider reinstating its casino licence at this time.
“The NICC considers it appropriate to continue with the current arrangement so it can better assess the effectiveness of important remediation work and await the outcomes of other pressing financial matters concerning The Star,” Mr Crawford said.
“The NICC understands the many challenges The Star is facing and is closely monitoring The Star’s progress as it works to prove it is capable of regaining its casino licence.”
The post NICC extends The Star manager’s term for six months appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The organisers of Regulating the Game have announced the launch of Industry Spotlight Sessions as part of the event’s 2026 programme. The conference will take place from March 9–11, 2026 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.
New for 2026, the Industry Spotlight Sessions are concise, 15-minute presentations embedded within the main conference programme, giving leading manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers across gaming, lotteries, wagering and sports betting a platform to share strategic insights, innovation and sector direction.
The sessions will provide a powerful platform for established players to:
• Highlight new products, enhancements or technical capabilities
• Share research, data insights or strategic outlooks
• Spotlight innovations that are shaping operational performance and player engagement
• Provide a forward view on emerging trends and technologies influencing the sector
Distinct from Pitch! at the Sydney Opera House (March 9) – which has evolved into a high-energy marketplace of ideas spotlighting emerging RegTech, compliance innovation, disruptive policy concepts and safer gambling solutions – the Industry Spotlight Sessions are tailored for established players to profile market-ready innovations, demonstrate commercial leadership and share product direction.
Paul Newson, principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, said: “The Industry Spotlight Sessions are being introduced at the request of industry attendees who wanted a dedicated platform to showcase pioneering products, strategies, and sector direction and insights. With only four Industry Spotlight slots available in 2026, this is a limited opportunity for organisations to put themselves front and centre before an international audience of regulators, policy leaders, and industry decision-makers.”
The addition of Industry Spotlights reflects RTG’s commitment to sparking innovation and shaping the future of the sector. By providing a platform for announcing new directions, showcasing developments and sharing strategic outlooks, these sessions are designed to broaden dialogue, foster cross-sector collaboration and keep the conference at the cutting edge of regulatory and industry evolution.
Regulating the Game 2026 will also feature:
• Pitch! at the Sydney Opera House (March 9)
• The inaugural RTG Global Awards & Gala Dinner (March 10)
• An expanded exhibition showcase and programme of expert masterclasses.
Early bird tickets are now open, with discounted rates for early registrants. Group packages are also available but strictly limited.
The post Industry Spotlight Sessions Announced for Regulating the Game 2026 Sydney appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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