Australia
VGCCC: Minors Exposed to Gambling at ALH Venues
Victorian venues are putting young people at risk when they turn a blind eye to, or otherwise fail to prevent, minors entering poker machine areas, according to Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) CEO Suzy Neilan.
Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) was fined $38,000 without conviction in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria for offences involving 3 minors at 3 venues on 4 dates in 2024.
ALH pleaded guilty to 6 charges, having self-reported the breaches to the VGCCC, which Ms Neilan said was important to recognise as a positive step towards improving industry practices.
“Being accountable for wrongdoing demonstrates integrity, which has been a focus of the VGCCC’s ongoing work with gambling operators,” she said.
“But it’s not enough to own up after the fact. Venues must be proactive about ensuring that minors do not access poker machine areas by ensuring they have in place appropriate systems, processes and staff.
“Operators should undertake a risk assessment and put in place controls to prevent minors from entering gambling areas. Some examples of controls could include displaying clear signage that the poker machine room is for adults only and checking the identification of anyone who appears under 25 years of age.”
Ms Neilan said it was not acceptable that any Victorian clubs and hotels – in this case, the Cramers and Excelsior hotels – were repeat offenders.
A 17-year-old was able to enter the poker machine area of Cramers Hotel in Preston multiple times without having to show ID, despite several interactions with staff and visits to the poker machine area on 24 January 2024. Staff intervened on 25 January 2024 only after the underage teen placed his belongings next to a poker machine.
Separately, a child in the company of 2 adults entered the poker machine area of the Excelsior Hotel in Thomastown on 24 April 2024. The child, who was seated with one of the adults, pressed buttons on the poker machine before they were both escorted from the area.
And on 27 September 2024, a 14-year-old boy entered the poker machine room of the Mountain View Hotel in Glen Waverley and gambled on a poker machine before staff intervened.
Ms Neilan said the VGCCC would continue to be vigilant about prosecuting venues for allowing minors to access the gambling areas of their premises, but that “prevention is better than cure”.
“I encourage all hotels and clubs to review their operations, including staff training, and consider making any adjustments required to ensure compliance with the law.”
In addition to the fine, the Magistrate ordered ALH to pay VGCCC’s legal costs of $40,000. The Magistrate also noted that but for the guilty plea, he would have fined ALH $90,000 and recorded a criminal conviction.
Summary of charges:
Incident 1 – Cramers Hotel:
Charge 1: Offences in respect of a minor entering a gaming machine area
Charge 2: Offences in respect of allowing a minor to gamble
Incident 2 – Excelsior Hotel:
Charge 3: Offences in respect of a minor entering a gaming machine area
Charge 4: Offences in respect of allowing a minor to gamble
Incident 3 – Mountain View Hotel:
Charge 5: Offences in respect of a minor entering a gaming machine area
Charge 6: Offences in respect of allowing a minor to gamble.
The post VGCCC: Minors Exposed to Gambling at ALH Venues appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
Regulating the Game Rolls Out Four-Level Partnership Structure Ahead of Sydney 2027 Program
Regulating the Game has announced an updated partnership framework for the 2027 initiative, organized into four levels — Principal Partner, Signature Partners, Pillar Partners, and Activation Partners — aimed at providing sponsors a more defined connection with the conference, the RTG Global Awards, and the delegate experience.
The updated architecture showcases significant involvement in 2026 and mirrors the widened scope of the 2027 program, which encompasses a more extensive conference agenda and the growth of the RTG Global Awards from six to twelve categories.
Regulating the Game 2027 Sydney is scheduled for 8–10 March 2027 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, featuring the RTG Global Awards ceremony on 9 March 2027.
A more distinct connection between partner funding and program worth.Every level is designed to correspond with the delegates’ experience of the program — starting with the conference opening, through Pitch!, the main program, the Global Awards Gala Dinner, and concluding the event. The goal is to minimize overlapping propositions, enhance category positioning, and achieve partnership results that are clear, traceable, and aligned with the program’s core.
• Principal Partner — The lead partner of the Regulating the Game 2027 program, with prominence across the conference, the Global Awards and the delegate journey. Reserved as a singular position.
• Signature Partners — A small group of premium partners aligned with flagship program elements, including Pitch!, the Global Awards Gala Dinner and other headline moments of the 2027 program.
• Pillar Partners — Partners aligned with the core thematic pillars of the Regulating the Game program: regulation and policy, compliance and integrity, safer gambling, and technology and innovation.
• Activation Partners — Partners supporting specific delegate touchpoints and experiences across the program, with visibility tied to defined activations.
A maturing global program
The 2027 program builds on the trajectory established in 2026, which saw strong international participation, the inaugural RTG Global Awards and the Pitch! showcase that brought together established providers and emerging RegTech disruptors. The expanded 2027 awards program — with six new categories including Black Market Disruption Initiative, Sport & Wagering Integrity Initiative, Research Impact, Gambling Harm Prevention Campaign, Compliance Advisory and Distinguished Contribution — broadens the recognition framework across the sector.
“The 2027 architecture reflects the maturity of the Regulating the Game program — a global conference, an expanded awards program and a delegate community that spans regulators, sector leaders, technology and research across multiple jurisdictions,” said Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and Founder of Regulating the Game.
“Partners increasingly want a clearer line of sight to value, audience and alignment. The four-tier model is designed to provide that — fewer overlapping propositions, clearer category positioning, and partnerships that map to how the program is actually experienced by delegates.”
Partner engagement now open
Partnership conversations for the 2027 program are now open. Organisations interested in any of the four tiers are invited to make contact through Regulating the Game to discuss alignment, availability and entitlements.
Event Details
Regulating the Game 2027 Sydney 8–10 March 2027 Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Sydney, Australia
RTG Global Awards Presentation 9 March 2027
The post Regulating the Game Rolls Out Four-Level Partnership Structure Ahead of Sydney 2027 Program appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Australia
IGS Awarded 15-Year Electronic Gaming Machine Monitoring Licence in Victoria
Bally’s Intralot S.A. (Bally’s Intralot) has announced that its Australian subsidiary, Intralot Gaming Services (IGS) has been awarded a new 15-year Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) Monitoring Licence for the State of Victoria, effective 16 August 2027.
This landmark award positions Bally’s Intralot to deliver a new generation of technology, transparency and collaboration to one of the world’s most mature and highly regulated gaming markets.
Approximately 26,300 EGMs will be connected to the Monitoring System which will provide a vital role in ensuring the ongoing integrity of EGM transactions in gaming venues. It will also provide data and information on EGMs for regulatory, harm minimisation, taxation and research purposes.
Under the licence, IGS will also be responsible for the delivery, operation and maintenance of the statewide Pre-commitment System for all EGMs in Victoria, including 2628 EGMs at the Melbourne casino.
A New Technology Era for Victoria
IGS will deploy a next-generation, cloud-enabled monitoring platform designed to deliver:
• Real-time monitoring and reporting
• Advanced data analytics capabilities
• Best-in-class cybersecurity protections
• Scalable architecture to support evolving regulatory requirements
• Future-ready integration enabling seamless connectivity with venues, manufacturers and regulatory systems
“This award represents a major milestone for Bally’s Intralot and IGS and is a significant investment in the future of Victoria’s gaming technology infrastructure. We look forward to working with the Victorian Government, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, and industry stakeholders to deliver a secure and transparent monitoring system that supports integrity and player protection,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of the Bally’s Intralot Group.
IGS and Bally’s Intralot will commence planning and stakeholder engagement in the coming months to support a carefully managed, smooth and seamless transition.
The post IGS Awarded 15-Year Electronic Gaming Machine Monitoring Licence in Victoria appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Australia
RWA: Gambling Ad Crackdown Threatens Shift Offshore
Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) has voiced deep disappointment over the Federal Government’s decision to further restrict gambling advertising without industry consultation. The group is now seeking urgent clarity to understand the full impact on the sector.
RWA CEO Kai Cantwell said their members have a track record of supporting and leading sensible and evidence based reform.
“We acknowledge advertising levels were too high in the past but we’ve listened and we’ve acted by taking steps to significantly reduce the total volume of ads” Mr Cantwell said.
“Beyond advertising, we have supported major reforms including the implementation of BetStop and strengthened consumer protection measures across the system.
“But this announcement, with no heads up and no genuine consultation, is a real kick in the guts for the industry.
“This sector contributes almost $6 billion to the Australian economy, supports around 30,000 jobs, and provides critical funding to sport, racing and broadcast industries across the country.”
“Decisions of this scale must be evidence based and developed with industry to avoid unintended consequences.
“For an industry that has engaged in good faith and delivered meaningful reform, this announcement today is disappointing.
“This sets a dangerous precedent. Today it’s gambling advertising, tomorrow it’s alcohol, then it’s sugary drinks, fast food, critical minerals and who knows what else comes next.
“This package of measures even seeks to go further than the Murphy Inquiry with the banning of online Keno and goes beyond the remit of the Federal
Government by phasing out jersey and stadium advertising.”
Responsible Wagering Australia also acknowledged the Government’s proposed crackdown on the illegal offshore gambling market which is costing Australians almost $4 billion each year and growing at 2.5x the rate of the legal licensed and regulated market.
“The test is whether these measures are strong, coordinated and enforceable.
“There is no silver bullet. These operators are highly sophisticated and will stop at nothing to target Australians and evade enforcement.
“To effectively tackle the issue there must be a sustained, coordinated approach that cuts them off at the source including payment blocking by financial institutions, stronger regulatory powers for the ACMA, and action to remove their presence online and across social media. The Government must consult with the industry to get this right and it must be the priority going forward.
“If the licensed market is overregulated, Australians won’t stop gambling. They will go offshore to operators with no consumer protections, no oversight, and no contribution to the Australian economy, sport or racing.”
RWA said it stands ready to engage constructively with Government on both advertising settings and offshore enforcement to ensure policy outcomes that reduce harm and protect Australians.
The post RWA: Gambling Ad Crackdown Threatens Shift Offshore appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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