Australia
AUSTRAC Launches Civil Penalty Proceedings Against Mounties
AUSTRAC has launched Federal Court civil penalty proceedings against Mount Pritchard District and Community Club (Mounties), for alleged serious and systemic non-compliance with Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws.
AUSTRAC alleges that Mounties contravened the AML/CTF Act, providing gaming services to its customers in circumstances where it had not adopted and maintained an AML CTF programme in compliance with the AML/CTF Rules.
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said AUSTRAC alleges failures in Mounties’ approach to its anti-money laundering obligations have left it open to criminal exploitation.
“Mounties is one of the largest and most profitable club groups in NSW. It owns 10 venues, 8 of which operate approximately 1,400 poker machines and it makes hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from money gambled on those machines,” Mr Thomas said.
“This is a big company with an even bigger responsibility to ensure its clubs are managing the risks that criminals can run dirty money through its gaming machines.
“AUSTRAC’s 2024 Money Laundering in Australia National Risk Assessment identified pubs and clubs as a medium risk sector, but when those businesses are exposed to cash, especially in circumstances where known money laundering risks are not being managed, the risk increases.”
“A business operating at this scale, in a cash intensive sector, is exposed to a high degree of money laundering risk. In 2022 for example, the NSW Crime Commission released its Project Islington report which determined that billions of the approximately $95b gambled in NSW poker machines in 2021-22 was likely to be dirty money.”
AUSTRAC alleges Mounties AML/CTF programme:
• did not have an adequate risk assessment
• did not contain appropriate staff risk awareness training
• did not contain appropriate risk based systems and controls in its transaction monitoring programme
• did not include appropriate risk based systems and controls in its enhanced customer due diligence processes
• was not subject to an independent review that met the requirements of the Rules
• and that Mounties failed to appropriately monitor a number of its customers with a view to identifying, mitigating and managing the money laundering risk that Mounties faced.
AUSTRAC also alleges Mounties failed to appropriately maintain its AML/CTF Programme, with aspects of its programme outsourced to a third party provider, Betsafe – which also provides AML/CTF programmes to a number of other pubs and clubs.
“Like many other AUSTRAC reporting entities, Mounties outsources aspects of its AML/CTF program but what it can’t outsource is its AML/CTF obligations.”
“Relying on third party providers doesn’t absolve a business of its obligations under the AML/CTF Act. If a reporting entity outsources key parts of its program to a service that is not fit for purpose – especially without proper oversight or resourcing – they run a real risk of non-compliance.
“All reporting entities, regardless of size, must stay actively involved in how their AML/CTF program is designed, implemented and monitored and I would say the same thing to other pubs and clubs who think bringing in a provider is a set and forget solution.”
AUSTRAC also alleges a number of specific instances where Mounties failed to appropriately monitor specific customers, despite the money laundering risks they presented.
“Customer due diligence and transaction monitoring in a club that processes hundreds of millions of dollars a year through its poker machines, a significant amount of which is cash, is going to require a robust approach when it comes to verifying a customer’s source of funds,” said Mr Thomas.
It is now a matter for the Federal Court of Australia to determine whether Mounties contravened the Act and, if so, what orders to make.
The post AUSTRAC Launches Civil Penalty Proceedings Against Mounties appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The NSW Government is encouraging the community to help spread the message this GambleAware Week, that with gambling, there’s more to lose than money; it can also affect health, relationships and wellbeing.
Running from today, 20 October to 26 October, this year’s campaign is also focussing on promoting the range of free and confidential support available to those struggling with gambling harm.
In addition, the NSW Government is continuing its campaign to reduce the amount of sports betting advertising with its Reclaim the Game initiative, delivered in partnership with 19 NSW sporting clubs from six codes: the A-League, AFL, Cricket, the National Basketball League, Netball and the National Rugby League.
This includes the Sydney Kings and the Illawarra Hawks men’s basketball teams along with the Sydney Flames women’s basketball team. All three teams have just signed up for a further two seasons.
Sports betting is most common among young people aged 18-24 years. A 2024 NSW Gambling Survey found sports and race betting responsible for 16.5% of gambling harm.
Reclaim the Game aims to counteract the saturation of sports betting advertising and help people understand their choices and decisions about gambling, encouraging them to take action to prevent and reduce gambling harm by seeking support when they need it.
In 2025-26, the NSW Government has committed $20.7 million from the Responsible Gambling Fund for gambling support services, up from $19.19 million the previous year.
The government has implemented a suite of measures to reduce gambling harm, including:
- Committing $100 million to harm minimisation – investing in research, treatment, services and reform,
- Banning gambling advertising on public transport, and the terminals people catch it from,
- Banning all external gambling signage in licensed premises and introducing Responsible Gambling Officers for venues with more than 20 gaming machine entitlements, and
- Banning political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines.
Reclaim the Game is an initiative of the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling, which also manages the statewide gambling support service GambleAware.
Information about GambleAware Week activities, Reclaim the Game, plus resources and support information are available at www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au
Call the 24-hour GambleAware Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free and confidential support. In-language support is also available for those from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:
“The NSW Government is committed to reducing gambling harm which not only impacts individuals, but also their loved ones and the broader community.
“I’m pleased to announce the NSW Government has extended the Reclaim the Game partnerships with the Sydney Kings, Sydney Flames and Illawarra Hawks. These partnerships have helped us spread this important message through reclaiming advertising space and enlisting clubs to engage with fans and the community on responsible gambling.
“Everyone has a role to play in keeping our communities safe, informed and supported. With gambling, there’s more to lose than money. You could be risking your family home, that dream holiday, your health or your relationships.
“This GambleAware Week, start a conversation with those who matter most about what gambling’s really costing. If you or someone you care about is struggling, support is available.”
Sydney Kings and Flames Chief Commercial Officer Amanda Farag said: “The Sydney Kings and Flames have been proud long-term partners of Reclaim the Game, and we are excited to renew this partnership. We wish basketball to remain a family-friendly environment, and we support the message of responsible gambling. We are proud of our ongoing commitment to this message”
Illawarra Hawks General Manager Commercial Aaron Anderson said: “The Illawarra Hawks are proud to continue our partnership with Reclaim the Game and stand alongside the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames, in creating a safer, more positive sporting environment.
“By extending our partnership, we’re sending a clear message, basketball is about community, competition, and passion – not gambling. This initiative empowers fans to enjoy the game for what it truly is, while raising awareness about the support available through GambleAware.”
The post NSW Government: Play your part this GambleAware Week appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Tabcorp Holdings Limited (Tabcorp) announced the appointment of Vivian Stewart to the Tabcorp Board as a Non-Executive Director, subject to the receipt of the required regulatory approvals.
Mr Stewart is a leading telecommunications and technology Non-Executive Director with 17 years of experience on public company boards. He is a Non-Executive Director of ASX-listed technology company Superloop Limited where he is Chair of the Risk and Compliance Committee. Mr Stewart brings significant executive experience to Tabcorp, including most recently as Chief Operating Officer of global enterprise software company Bigtincan. Mr Stewart also founded corporate advisory firm Callafin where he advised on M&A transactions and capital raisings for both public and private companies.
Tabcorp Chair Brett Chenoweth said: “We’re pleased to welcome Vivian to the Tabcorp Board. He’s an experienced director with a deep knowledge of the telecommunications and technology sectors,which is critical as it underpins a large part of our business. His deep knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to evolve and innovate our product offerings.
“Vivian also brings substantial commercial experience to the business and we’re looking forward to adding his skillsets to the composition of our Board.”
Mr Stewart will be formally appointed as a Director following the receipt of necessary approvals. In the meantime, he will act as an Observer on the Board from 1 November 2025.
The post Tabcorp Appoints Vivian Stewart as Non-executive Director appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested the Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block more illegal online gambling sites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites blocked include Crown Gold, Maxispin Casino, Rain.gg, Didibet, LuckyBet, Malina Casino and Spins of Glory.
Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling. Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 1338 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. Around 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.
The post ACMA Blocks More Illegal Online Gambling Sites appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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