Australia
TOPSPORT FINED $60,000 FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING ADS
The courts have sent a strong message to those who post illegal gambling advertisements, fining Merlehan Bookmaking Pty Ltd, trading as TopSport, $60,000 last week, as a result of an investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW.
Liquor & Gaming’s Compliance Director Marcel Savary said under the Betting and Racing Act 1998, it is an offence to publish a gambling advertisement that offers any inducement to participate, or participate frequently, in any gambling activity.
“TopSport pleaded guilty to three illegal gambling advertisement offences in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday and was fined $20,000 per offence, totalling $60,000. They were also ordered to pay Liquor & Gaming NSW’s legal costs,” Mr Savary said.
“Two of the offences relate to publications on the TopSport website of the availability of a ‘Top Up’ feature which is a form of enhanced odds. The third offence is related to the promotion of a weekly tipping competition on the Sporting Base website offering TopSport bonus bets as a prize for the top tipsters. The offences occurred in August and September 2020”
“The laws are there for a reason. Enhanced odds and tipping competitions linked to betting accounts have the ability to induce people to open a betting account when they otherwise may be refraining from gambling and they may encourage people to gamble more frequently.
“During sentencing the Magistrate noted TopSport didn’t have previous convictions for this type of offence however there was a need for specific and general deterrence,” Mr Savary said.
The maximum penalty is $110,000 for offences contrary to section 33H(1) of the Betting and Racing Act 1998.
Liquor & Gaming will continue to monitor betting service providers compliance with these laws and take strong action for serious and blatant offending.
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Australia
SkyCity Appoints Jason Walbridge as Chief Executive Officer
SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited has appointed Jason Walbridge as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Jason has more than two decades of senior executive public company experience in the global land-based and online gaming industries. He is currently a Strategic Advisor to global gaming and technology company Aristocrat Leisure Limited on its proposed acquisition of NeoGames S.A, and Executive Chairman of National Entertainment Network LLC, the largest amusement route operator in the US. He has been appointed to the role after an extensive international search.
SkyCity Board Chair Julian Cook said: “The Board is delighted to announce Jason’s appointment as CEO of SkyCity, and we are looking forward to the valuable contribution Jason will make to the business. Jason has extensive global experience in the land-based and online gaming industries, which will position him well to lead SkyCity through its next phases.”
Mr Walbridge said: “It will be a privilege to lead SkyCity, and I am excited to be joining the business at this time as SkyCity looks to pursue the many opportunities ahead of it.”
Mr Walbridge is expected to start in early July 2024, following his move back to New Zealand.
Prior to his current roles, Mr Walbridge held roles with the online gaming supplier NYX Gaming Group Limited and its acquirer Light & Wonder Inc, and before that he spent 18 years with Aristocrat Leisure Limited where he held executive leadership roles in New Zealand and the US. Previously, he held senior roles within consulting, including with Ernst & Young, and was an Officer in the New Zealand Defence Force. Mr Walbridge holds an MBA in International Management from the Auckland Institute of Studies.
Mr Cook confirmed that Callum Mallett will continue as Interim Chief Executive Officer until Mr Walbridge’s commencement date.
“I’d like to thank Callum for his continued leadership and his support during this period,” Mr Cook said.
The post SkyCity Appoints Jason Walbridge as Chief Executive Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
VGCCC Fines BlueBet AU$50,000 for Gambling Advertising Breaches
BlueBet has been fined AU$50,000 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for breaching gambling advertising regulations.
The company was found guilty of 43 charges related to displaying gambling advertisements on or above public roads, contravening the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.
The charges stemmed from an investigation initiated by VGCCC, following a complaint from a member of the public. The breaches occurred over a two-week period in August and September 2022, with BlueBet’s gambling advertisements appearing on digital billboards at various locations, including Point Cook, Laverton, Rockbank and Ravenhall.
Magistrate Greg Thomas, overseeing the case, expressed scepticism about BlueBet’s defence that it was unaware of the breaches, given the strategic placement of the billboards to target males aged 15-54 years old. While no conviction was recorded, Magistrate Thomas noted the high degree of negligence exhibited by BlueBet.
VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM said: “Gambling advertising has no place on public roads where it is readily visible to children and other vulnerable groups. These places are especially difficult to avoid as part of day-to-day activities. This decision sends a clear message to wagering providers that flout these protections for our community.”
Although Magistrate Thomas considered imposing a higher fine and recording a conviction, he took into account BlueBet’s guilty plea, cooperation with VGCCC and measures taken to prevent future breaches. BlueBet has implemented changes to prevent similar incidents and has cooperated with VGCCC throughout the process.
The post VGCCC Fines BlueBet AU$50,000 for Gambling Advertising Breaches appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
VGCCC Introduces New Rules for Wagering Account Statements
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has introduced new standards for how activity statements should be presented to wagering account holders. The new standards require providers to use plain English and avoid unnecessary vocabulary. The use of colours is limited to black and red to represent losses.
The VGCCC took the measure after finding inconsistencies in the way information was displayed on sample activity statements across different providers. Account holders must be able to see how much of their own money they have lost, with free and bonus bets excluded from the net loss figures. Net wins must be shown with stakes deducted. The gambling harm taglines that appear at the end of wagering ads must be displayed on each statement.
The new standards came into force on April 1. Failure to comply could result in a penalty of 60 penalty units, equivalent to AU$11,538.60 for each non-compliant activity statement issued.
VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM said: “The days of inconsistent player activity statements are over. Wagering account holders will be better informed about their spending – and therefore better equipped to make informed decisions about their gambling – thanks to the clarity and fairness these changes bring.”
The post VGCCC Introduces New Rules for Wagering Account Statements appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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