Australia

SETTING LIMITS MAKES A DIFFERENCE, BUT GAMBLERS NEED MORE PROMPTS TO OPT-IN

Published

4 years ago

January 17, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

CQUniversity researchers have found bet limits can help keep Australia’s online gamblers out of hot water, but the majority of consumers aren’t using the money-saving mechanism.

In a new study funded by Gambling Research Australia (GRA), experts at CQUniversity’s Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory (EGRL) found consumers are not always prompted to use the betting limit option. The new research further suggests making the scheme mandatory and capping maximum limits would strengthen harm prevention.

Researchers surveyed more than 3,000 regular race and sports bettors and found 41 per cent had set a deposit limit, but more than half considered themselves ‘unlikely’ to set one. Those participants who set limits found them very useful, with a quarter finding the intervention prevented overspending at least once a week.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Since mid-2019, Australian online betting agencies have been required to let consumers set deposit limits for their online gambling, and to regularly prompt users about setting up or reviewing their limits.

Lead author and CQUniversity Research Professor Nerilee Hing, said consumers had a choice of limits with some operators. Research found deposit restrictions were the most popular, followed by an overall spend limit, a single bet amount limit, and a loss limit. A limit on the time spent gambling was the least popular among participants, with just 22 per cent switching on the clock.

“We also looked at what type of person was more likely to set limits. Of those with more serious gambling problems, 45.6 per cent were setting at least one limit,” Professor Hing said.

“This is encouraging, however as this group benefits the most from opt-in limits, the fact that more than half aren’t taking that option suggests there’s still a need to address why people are unwilling to limit their betting.”

Professor Hing and her team then presented participants with a series of tailored messages about bet limits and tested these in a randomised trial with more than 1,200 regular consumers.

Across the four-week trial, limit setting increased among participants, with 32 per cent adopting at least one type of limit. Those with a severe gambling problem were significantly more likely to set a limit.

“The study showed that prompt messages need to be consistent to allow gamblers to self-reflect. Then we see better uptake of limits,” Professor Hing said.

This research supports evaluation of the voluntary opt-out pre-commitment measure and refinements to strengthen the National Framework. A joint Commonwealth, state and territory government endeavour, the National Framework provides protections for consumers of interactive wagering services licensed in Australia, in line with international best practice.

Gambling Research Australia (GRA) is a joint Commonwealth, state and territory program, established to develop an effective evidence base to support gambling policy and regulatory decisions. The Commonwealth has contributed half the annual funding of the GRA program. The combined funding contribution from states and territories has matched the annual funding from the Commonwealth, based on the proportion of national gambling expenditure.

Study co-authors were CQUniversity researchers Prof Matthew Browne, Dr Alex M T Russell, ProfMatthew Rockloff and Catherine Tulloch.

Australia

VGCCC Imposes $80,000 Fine on Online Bookmaker QuestBet

Published

6 days ago

August 13, 2025

Niji Narayan

vgccc-imposes-$80,000-fine-on-online-bookmaker-questbet

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined online bookmaker QuestBet $80,000 for continuing to accept bets from a customer displaying observable signs of gambling-related distress.

Announcing the fine, VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan said QuestBet’s non-compliance with its gambling harm minimisation obligations was indicative of a concerning culture.

“Our investigation of QuestBet’s practices found the bookmaker failed to have in place adequate systems to protect individuals identifiably at risk of gambling harm,” Ms Neilan said.

“Minimising gambling harm is an obligation every operator holds – including bookmakers – who must monitor customer wellbeing and intervene if they observe signs of distress.

“This substantial penalty demonstrates the seriousness of the bookmaker’s failure to meet its legal and moral obligations.”

The VGCCC investigation was prompted by a complaint from a customer who claimed QuestBet had allowed them to continue betting – and losing – a significant sum of money in a matter of weeks, without intervention.

“We found that between April and June 2023, the customer contacted QuestBet more than 20 times to request additional credits and bonus bets. On 6 occasions, they mentioned having experienced several large losses.

“This was a clear sign that the customer was struggling. A sign that QuestBet chose to ignore, instead encouraging and enabling the customer to keep gambling with the aid of bonus bets in 5 of the 6 occasions.

“Consequently, the customer lost about $15,000 over two months,” Ms Neilan said.

Staff of gambling operators must provide assistance to customers facing negative consequences from their gambling. There is a range of tools and resources staff might suggest to customers in this situation to assist them to, for example, set and track time and money limits, take a break, self-exclude or access help services.

“QuestBet suggested none of these, thereby breaching the Victorian Bookmakers’ Association Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct and causing further distress to the customer.

“Nor did the bookmaker formally respond to our request for an explanation for its lack of care or a reason not to be sanctioned, despite requesting, and being granted, several extensions to do so,” Ms Neilan said.

The post VGCCC Imposes $80,000 Fine on Online Bookmaker QuestBet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Australia

Tracy Parker Joins Judging Panel for Inaugural RTG Global Awards

Published

7 days ago

August 12, 2025

Niji Narayan

tracy-parker-joins-judging-panel-for-inaugural-rtg-global-awards

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Leading gaming law and regulation conference Regulating the Game has announced the appointment of Tracy Parker, Senior Vice-President, Accreditation, Advisory and Insights at the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), to the judging panel for the inaugural RTG Global Awards. Parker will represent RGC, a globally respected independent non-profit dedicated to reducing gambling harm, in assessing nominations across categories recognising leadership, innovation and community impact.

The RTG Global Awards, to be presented at the 2026 Gala Dinner on Tuesday 10 March at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, celebrate excellence across safer gambling, compliance, industry integrity, financial crime risk management and community contribution.

Parker brings nearly 30 years of experience in driving social responsibility and sustainability, and over a decade championing harm minimization throughout the gambling sector. At RGC, she leads the development and implementation of robust standards and assurance programs, helping organizations deliver safer gambling environments and drive continuous improvement. Her previous leadership roles at Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) strengthened responsible gambling policies across multiple gaming verticals.

“RGC is honored to join the judging panel for the inaugural RTG Global Awards and support this important platform which elevates leadership, integrity, and innovation across the gambling sector. At a time when industry transformation and public expectations are accelerating, recognizing organizations that meaningfully prioritize harm prevention and player wellbeing is critical to a safe and sustainable sector. We are proud to be part of this important work,” said Sarah McCarthy, RGC’s Chief Executive Officer.

Founded in Canada, RGC has spent over four decades as a global leader in gambling harm prevention. Through research, education and partnerships with regulators, operators and communities, RGC drives policy and operational improvements to ensure gambling does not harm people or the places they live.

Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, said: “Tracy’s leadership and RGC’s global standing in safer gambling make them an ideal addition to the RTG Global Awards judging panel. Their commitment to practical, evidence-informed standards and constructive industry engagement reflects the values we seek to highlight through these awards. We’re delighted to welcome Tracy and RGC to this global initiative.”

The inaugural RTG Global Awards will feature six categories:

• Leadership Voice – for principled, reform-focused leadership contributing to sector uplift

• Safer Gambling Champion – for operators or organisations delivering tangible harm minimisation outcomes

• Compliance Excellence – recognising uplift in AML, risk culture or regulatory compliance

• RegTech Solution of the Year – celebrating innovative technologies improving sector integrity and compliance

• Community Impact Initiative – for initiatives delivering measurable community benefit

• Emerging Leader – Safer Gambling or Compliance – spotlighting rising talent (under 40) making meaningful contributions.

The post Tracy Parker Joins Judging Panel for Inaugural RTG Global Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Australia

JCM Global Celebrates 70 Years of Industry-leading Innovation at AGE

Published

7 days ago

August 12, 2025

Niji Narayan

jcm-global-celebrates-70-years-of-industry-leading-innovation-at-age

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Groundbreaking products and systems from JCM Global (JCM) have transformed the global gaming industry, and at AGE 2025, JCM will be at stand #934 celebrating 70 years of industry-leading innovations.

“For 70 years at JCM, the spirit of innovation has been the driving force of our global design and development teams, who continue to create leading technologies. We invite the industry to join us at stand #934 at AGE to celebrate our history of creating solutions that operators rely on to boost security, increase efficiencies, and enhance the guest experience,” said JCM Asia-Pacific General Manager Ian Payne.

At the stand, JCM will showcase its award-winning bill validators: iVIZION and UBA Pro. These best-in-class technologies are proven to provide the highest levels of security and acceptance in automated transaction applications.

JCM is one of the industry’s most prolific innovators and will present multiple pioneering solutions. FUZION offers a full suite of features, including BLE mobile wallet connectivity, real-time peripheral performance data, proactive drop/fill alerts, real-time asset monitoring and more. JCM will also feature the ICB Intelligent Cash Box system, which is proven to eliminate multiple points of human error for a streamlined and more compliant drop process.

Additionally, JCM will display its trusted GEN5 and CouponXpress thermal printers, the standard in the gaming industry. These reliable, smart printers give casino operators the flexibility and power they need to communicate accurately and directly with players through TITO tickets and promotional coupons.

“In Australia, and around the world, operators rely on solutions from JCM, and we are thrilled to celebrate our 70th anniversary while also creating forward-thinking technology roadmaps for our customers,” Payne said.

The post JCM Global Celebrates 70 Years of Industry-leading Innovation at AGE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.