Australia

Loot boxes potentially groom young people for gambling

Published

5 years ago

July 28, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

New research funded by the NSW Government’s Responsible Gambling Fund, shows young adults are more likely to gamble if exposed to in-game purchases and loot boxes in video games.

Director of the Office of Responsible Gambling, Natalie Wright, said video game loot boxes are virtual games of chance that offer players a randomised reward when opened.

“Loot boxes can resemble gambling since players invest time and sometimes money in obtaining them, then receive a random reward of uncertain value such as weapons or outfits for their characters,” Ms Wright said.

“They are a growing concern because of the risk and reward elements associated with them that is similar to gambling and there are currently no age limits to play these games.”

The study by Central Queensland University (CQU), surveyed adolescents about their gaming experiences. Some of their key findings showed 62 per cent of the games they looked at offered loot boxes, and about a third of respondents had purchased a loot box in the last 12 months.

Additionally, the median monthly expenditure on loot boxes for adolescents aged 12 to 17 was $50 and $72 for young adults aged 18 to 24 years.

Overall the CQU research report found:

Loot boxes are common in the best-selling video games – the research report looked at 82 best-selling video games and revealed 62 per cent (51) had loot boxes.
In the survey sample, almost all of the respondents played at least one video game with loot boxes within the last 12 months (93 per cent).
Compared to other purchasers, young adults, aged 18 to 24 years old, who had recently purchased loot boxes for the first time, were more likely to have gambling problems. However, there was no evidence that earlier experiences with loot boxes predict later gambling problems.
Young people who had either opened, bought or sold loot boxes within the last 12 months were also more likely to have:
gambled in the last 12 months (young adults)
gambled more frequently (young adults)
spent more money gambling (young adults)
suffered more gambling problems (adolescents and young adults)
suffered more gambling-related harm (young adults), and
endorsed more positive attitudes towards gambling (adolescents and young adults).

To view a copy of the report, please visit the Office of Responsible Gambling website.

For those needing help with gambling issues, help is available 24/7 on 1800 858 888 or through www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au.

Australia

Tabcorp Appoints Vivian Stewart as Non-executive Director

Published

6 hours ago

October 21, 2025

Niji Narayan

tabcorp-appoints-vivian-stewart-as-non-executive-director

Reading Time: < 1 minute

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.

ACMA

ACMA Blocks More Illegal Online Gambling Sites

Published

4 days ago

October 17, 2025

Niji Narayan

acma-blocks-more-illegal-online-gambling-sites

Reading Time: < 1 minute

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.

Australia

GLI Grows Stronger and Bigger in Melbourne with New Lab Location

Published

5 days ago

October 16, 2025

Niji Narayan

gli-grows-stronger-and-bigger-in-melbourne-with-new-lab-location

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has had a robust presence in Melbourne since it opened the lab in 2007. The company and its presence in Melbourne is stronger and bigger now that GLI has moved to a new lab location in the city.

The move was necessitated by GLI’s continually growing operations, and the upgrade to a larger facility in South Melbourne physically positions GLI even closer to many of its customers. GLI also operates labs in Adelaide and Syndey.

GLI’s Melbourne lab offers a full suite of services including:

• iGaming and Land-based Testing

• Casino Management Systems (CMS) Testing

• Interoperability Testing

• Quality Assurance

• Compliance

“We are excited about this next chapter as it strengthens our ability to meet our clients’ continually evolving needs. With these expert teams working together under one roof, we are better positioned to than ever to deliver comprehensive solutions for today’s gaming industry,” said Richard Howarth, Chief Business Officer – APAC.

The post GLI Grows Stronger and Bigger in Melbourne with New Lab Location appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.