Australia
NSW: Minns Government Moves to Ban Gambling Advertising from Trains

The Minns Government has moved to ban gambling advertising on public transport in NSW.
The prohibition applies to Transport owned and controlled assets, including internal and external advertising on trains, metro, buses, light rail, train stations and ferry terminals.
Transport operates one of the largest portfolios of advertising assets across Australia. This includes 798 advertising boards at Sydney train stations, 49 road facing digital billboards, adverts on up to 3711 urban buses, 76 trams and across the Tangara train fleet.
The ban extends to all casino, lottery and online betting advertising.
The NSW Government will now work with multiple advertising contract holders to implement the required changes over the next 12 months.
Transport’s advertising suppliers must ensure that all advertising material complies with all applicable laws, accepted industry standards and codes of conduct established by the advertising industry for example, the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) Advertiser Code of Ethics and AANA Code of Ethics Practice Note.
There are also additional rules that apply to Transport’s contract holders. These include a ban on political advertising on all assets, which applies equally to all political parties.
Where assets are not owned by Transport (e.g. bus stops, retail outlets or nearby private property), the NSW Government will work with the relevant entitles to see how their advertising can align with the gambling advertising ban.
This is the latest in a suite of reforms introduced by the Minns Labor Government to reduce gambling harm. The reforms include:
• reducing the statewide gaming machine entitlement cap in June 2023
• banning political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines on 1 July 2023
• reducing the cash input limit on new gaming machines from $5000 to $500 on 1 July 2023
• banning all external gambling signage in venues on 1 September 2023
• banning the placement of any signage or advertising relating to gaming machines either on, or visible from an ATM or EFTPOS terminal with cash withdrawal facilities and introduced Responsible Gambling Officers for venues with more than 20 machine entitlements, on 1 July 2024
• requiring Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) or EFTPOS terminals that allow cash withdrawals to be placed at least 5m from the entry to a gaming room and not be visible from any machine or entry to a gaming room, from 1 January 2025
• established an Independent Panel to conduct a trial of cashless gaming in pubs and clubs throughout 2024
• committing $100 million to harm minimisation – investing in research, treatment, services and reform.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said: “Gambling advertising has been a common sight on our public transport for a couple of years now, and I’m pleased our Government is taking action to remove it. Parents are rightly worried about the impact it has on their kids, so its not something that we think that needs to be on our transport network.
“With over 3500 buses, close to 800 advertising assets at train stations, as well as advertising on light rail and trains, Transport’s advertising contracts are vast. Because of the scale it will take some time to implement this change, but we will be working closely with our contract partners over the next 12 months to get this done.”
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said: “Removing gambling advertising from public transport is another demonstration of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to reducing gambling harm in NSW.
“This move will reduce the public’s exposure to gambling advertising and builds on the suite of reforms the government has introduced over the past 20 months to reduce harmful impacts of gambling.”
The post NSW: Minns Government Moves to Ban Gambling Advertising from Trains appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
David Tsai named as Featured Speaker at Regulating the Game 2025 Sydney

David Tsai, CEO of Crown Resorts, has been named as a Featured Speaker of next month’s Regulating the Game conference, taking place at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour on March 10–13.
Tsai, who was appointed as Crown Resorts CEO in October 2024, brings two decades of integrated resorts experience to his leadership role. Joining Crown in December 2022, he initially served as CEO of Crown Perth before stepping into the top position following the departure of Ciarán Carruthers.
His career includes over 15 years with MGM Resorts International, where he held senior roles such as President of the Midwest Group, overseeing MGM Grand Detroit and MGM Northfield Park. During his tenure, he led large-scale transformations, such as the $550 million redevelopment of the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino into new lifestyle luxury brands Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas.
“Regulating the Game provides a great platform to discuss the regulatory landscape for the gaming industry. I look forward to sharing our insights, learnings, and vision to embrace guest safety and wellbeing while becoming the leading entertainment destinations in Australia,” Tsai said.
“David’s extensive experience in leading integrated resorts and driving transformative projects brings a unique perspective to the conference. His insights into strategic leadership, operational excellence, and navigating complex regulatory environments will be invaluable to attendees,” Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said.
The post David Tsai named as Featured Speaker at Regulating the Game 2025 Sydney appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
Western Australia Increases Penalties to Strengthen Gambling Laws

The Government of Western Australia (WA) has increased enforcement powers and penalties to bolster the regulation of WA’s gambling industry through law reform.
The reforms address the findings and recommendations of the Perth Casino Royal Commission which found that the legislation needed to be modernised to be fit for purpose.
Amendments include significant increases in a range of penalties when there is a failure to comply with gambling laws and directions issued by the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC).
Gaming and Wagering Commission Chair Gary Dreibergs said: “I welcome the reforms which will greatly assist the Gaming and Wagering Commission in our important task to enforce gambling laws and disrupt illegal gambling in WA.
“The substantial increase in penalties will act as a more effective deterrent and a more appropriate punishment for law breakers who may regard current lower penalties as an acceptable risk when they consider the profits that can be made from subverting the laws.
“The extra powers for the GWC will help to significantly boost our ability to carry out successful investigations and prosecutions to stamp out illegal activity, which often attracts money launderers and organised crime gangs.”
The post Western Australia Increases Penalties to Strengthen Gambling Laws appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
BlueBet to Acquire Certain Assets of Merlehan Booking

BlueBet Holdings has signed a binding Asset Sale Agreement to acquire certain assets of Merlehan Booking Pty Ltd (TopSport).
To support the acquisition, BlueBet is undertaking an institutional placement to raise approximately $15.0 million by issuing around 44.1 million new shares. The proceeds will fund the upfront payment to TopSport and support integration, migration costs, working capital and further growth initiatives. The placement is priced at $0.34 per share, representing a premium over recent trading prices, and is set to settle on 12 February 2025.
The acquisition leverages BlueBet’s repeatable M&A model, driving industry consolidation and creating shareholder value. TopSport is expected to enhance BlueBet’s margin advantage, share of wallet, and customer engagement through BlueBet’s technology platform, including its personalised promotion engine.
“The acquisition of TopSport materially enhances BlueBet’s profitability and scale, is highly accretive for our shareholders and brings us closer to our strategic target of 10%+ market share in Australia. Inorganic growth remains a key opportunity for BlueBet and we have a laser focus and a repeatable M&A model to drive shareholder value by further consolidating the Australian wagering market. This transaction is a blueprint for further M&A and delivers a high conversion of Net Gaming Revenue to EBITDA as we leverage our previous investment in our proprietary technology, brand and best-in-class management team. Tristan Merlehan is one of this country’s most-respected bookmakers and will further strengthen our market-leading risk and trading capability, driving margin improvement and sustainable profitability for shareholders,” BlueBet CEO Andrew Menz said.
The post BlueBet to Acquire Certain Assets of Merlehan Booking appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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