Australia
The Star appoints first female GM of Surveillance Queensland
The Star Entertainment Group has appointed Zhan Spalding to its senior leadership team, taking up the newly created role of General Manager Surveillance Queensland and further supporting a commitment to gender equality targets.
With more than 30 years’ experience leading surveillance and security operations for both national and international gaming venues, Ms Spalding will take on the dual role overseeing The Star’s two Queensland properties.
Ms Spalding will be a key part of the transition from the Treasury Brisbane surveillance team to a new model in preparation for operations commencing at the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct with a planned staged opening in the second half of 2023.
She will also commence immediate oversight of the existing surveillance operating model at The Star Gold Coast, as its $2 billion masterplan expansion continues.
Chief Operating Officer of The Star Gold Coast Jess Mellor said, “We are thrilled to have been successful in attracting Zhan to this new and critical role for the business.”
“She has extensive expertise in surveillance technology implementation, multi-site management, restructuring and streamlining processes, which we will be relying on as we further cement our position as the Gold Coast’s premium tourism and entertainment destination.
“Her appointment underpins The Star’s growth and investment in Queensland as well as bolstering our female leadership ranks,” Jess Mellor said.
“The Star has a target of 45% female and 45% male representation in leadership roles while the remaining 10% recognises the need to create space for non-binary gender identities.”
Zhan Spalding, who began her gaming career in Prague and has worked globally including in Morocco, Argentina, Venezuela, Romania, England and New Zealand before moving to Australia said the promotion of gender equality was an attractor to the role.
“Throughout my career there have been many times I was the only woman in a surveillance or security international network events team, so I am passionate about encouraging other women to pursue a career in this industry,” Ms Spalding said.
“I also want to shine a spotlight on the breadth of the role, which is complex and challenging requiring knowledge of technology, compliance, policy, procedure, data analytics, crisis management and more,” she said.
“I am thrilled to join The Star at this exciting stage of their expansion, and hope to help progress its cultural and diversity focus and achievements.”
The Star Entertainment Group Interim CEO and MD, Geoff Hogg said, “Zhan’s wealth of experience will be an asset to our Queensland-based surveillance and security team, particularly to a role and industry sector where women have traditionally been under-represented.”
“We value diversity of ideas and backgrounds and it’s rewarding to see the strides we have made in promoting gender equality are being reflected in our talent acquisition pipeline,” he said.
“We ensure the best people are recruited for the right roles, adhering to a policy that provides everyone with the same opportunities, reduces bias in the hiring process and fosters an inclusive workplace.”
Zhan will commence duties for The Star on September 5 dividing her time between both Queensland properties.
The Star Entertainment Group has a recognised commitment to promoting gender equality as one of only 12 new Australian businesses awarded a 2022 Workplace Gender Equality Agency ‘Employer of Choice for Gender Equality’ citation.
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The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined the Werribee RSL $30,000 for failing to prevent 2 self-excluded customers from gambling.
VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan said: “This is the first time the VGCCC has taken disciplinary action against a club or hotel for self-exclusion breaches.
“Self-exclusion programs empower people to manage their gambling by registering to be temporarily or permanently blocked from entering gambling areas of clubs, pubs and casinos.
“By failing to respect a person’s decision to self-exclude, a venue may put customers who have decided to take a break from gambling, or quit altogether, at risk of experiencing gambling harm.”
In January 2024, the VGCCC received an anonymous tip-off that a self-excluded person entered the Werribee RSL gaming room and used the poker machines. The venue self-reported a second breach in May 2024, after realising a different customer had gambled at the venue on at least 4 occasions between February and May 2024.
Ms Neilan said: “Taking disciplinary action is the last resort. We would prefer venues take their harm minimisation responsibilities seriously by complying with their legal obligations, including through the effective implementation of tools like self-exclusion.
“Venues and their staff are the last line of defence for self-excluded customers, who should be able to trust that their decision to self-exclude will be respected. They must have the appropriate controls in place to prevent self-excluded people from entering gaming rooms.”
The VGCCC acknowledged that Werribee RSL cooperated with the investigations and has since taken steps to strengthen its procedures. These include improved and regular staff training, daily audits of the self-exclusion register and greater use of technology to identify self-excluded customers who attempt to enter the gaming room.
This remedial action was taken into consideration in determining the amount of the fine.
The post VGCCC Fines Werribee RSL for Self-exclusion Failures appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued ReadyBet with a remedial direction after the company marketed to customers who had registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).
An ACMA investigation found ReadyBet sent 273 texts and push notifications from its mobile app to self-excluded individuals.
Separately, the company also failed to promote the NSER in 2342 push notifications despite it being mandatory to promote BetStop in any marketing electronic messages.
The ACMA issued the remedial direction so that ReadyBet takes action to prevent it breaching the rules in the future.
Under the remedial direction, ReadyBet must commission an independent review of its marketing systems, including its use of third-party suppliers.
ReadyBet must also engage a provider to deliver training to its staff to avoid messages being sent to self-excluded individuals.
The ACMA may seek civil penalties if ReadyBet does not comply with the remedial direction.
The post ACMA: ReadyBet Breaches Gambling Self-exclusion Rules appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Unibet Australia has expanded its partnership with the Sydney Roosters, now including sponsorship of the club’s NRLW team.
This milestone marks a significant step in Unibet’s commitment to gender parity in sport and the continued evolution of rugby league.
Building on a successful and long-standing relationship with the Roosters’ men’s team, this new chapter reflects Unibet’s dedication to supporting the growth of women’s sport and aligning with the values of equality, opportunity and community.
“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with the Sydney Roosters to include the NRLW side. This isn’t just about sponsorship—it’s about recognising the incredible talent, passion, and professionalism of the women’s game and ensuring it receives the same backing and visibility as the men’s,” said General Manager Nathan Reeves
The NRLW has seen exponential growth in recent years, with increasing fan engagement, media coverage and grassroots participation. Unibet’s expanded support aims to help accelerate this momentum and provide the Roosters’ female athletes with the same elite-level resources and recognition.
Chief Operating Officer of the Sydney Roosters, Jarrod Johnstone, said: “Unibet has been a valued partner of our club for years, and their decision to support our NRLW team speaks volumes about their belief in the future of women’s rugby league. This partnership is a powerful statement about parity and progress.”
The Partnership was celebrated at the first game of the season where the Roosters defeated the Warriors 30-6. Unibet staff, friends and family attended the match welcoming the team on the field with a guard of honour.
Nicholas Porta, Unibet’s Head of Marketing, said: “Our staff work so hard in delivering our products it was a great way to give back and introduce new fans to the elite women’s game.”
Marketing Manager Belinda McNulty and the Roosters team have worked in the off season to ensure the partnership extends beyond the logo on playing kit with a launch race day, custom products for the players lounge and bespoke assets across LED and digital to engage fans and celebrate the achievements of the defending premiers.
The post Unibet Expands Partnership with Sydney Roosters to Support NRLW Team appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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