Australia
Cricket NSW, Wanderers and Macarthur FC continue to help fans to reclaim the game
Sports fans are set to enjoy more games free of sports betting ads with Cricket NSW and A-League football clubs Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Macarthur FC extending their partnerships under the NSW Government’s Reclaim the Game initiative.
CEO of Hospitality and Racing, Anthony Keon, said the extensions are a major boost for Reclaim the Game, which is challenging the idea that betting is a normal part of sport.
“The extended partnerships are a strong show of faith in Reclaim the Game as sporting franchises realise the importance of rejecting sports betting advertising and promoting gambling awareness among their supporters,” Mr Keon said.
“We now have fourteen teams from five codes turning down sports betting sponsorships and making gambling awareness and education an important part of their work.”
Cricket NSW’s two-year extension will see the rejection of sports betting advertising at home games of the men’s and women’s Big Bash teams, the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder and also their state teams NSW Blues and NSW Breakers.
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said the partnership extension would allow Cricket NSW to continue to make important inroads in helping to prevent – and reduce – the harm gambling can cause individuals, families, and society.
“Since joining forces with the Office of Responsible Gambling, Cricket NSW has made a meaningful contribution towards changing the community’s attitudes towards betting on sport,” said Mr Germon.
“We’re proud to be able to continue to play an active part in educating children that gambling is not a part of sport, and that gambling on sport is a bad bet.
“Cricket NSW will continue to do all we can to counter the constant sports betting advertising and the adverse effect it has on young people – young men, in particular – and their families.”
Western Sydney Wanderers’ partnership has been extended for a further two seasons and includes the women’s team for the first time, while Macarthur FC has signed on for an extra season. These extensions will be in place for the upcoming A-league season which kicks off on Friday 7 October.
Western Sydney Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson said he was proud to be continuing the relationship for the next two seasons.
“It is important for us to have an impact beyond the field and together with Reclaim the Game we have brought awareness of the impact that sports betting can have in professional sport,” said Mr Hudson.
“We are delighted that this partnership has now extended to our A-League Women’s team, and we look forward to continuing to build our relationship with Reclaim the Game over the next two years.”
Macarthur FC Group CEO, Sam Krslovic said “We are proud to continue our partnership with Reclaim the Game and be part of this positive initiative. Our community wellbeing is our primary focus and we feel it is important to promote a healthy connection between our game and our fans.”
Mr Keon said Reclaim the Game partners play a vital role in educating fans, players and staff about the risks associated with gambling.
“Reclaim the Game is a great way to reach young men who are most at risk of gambling harm with an estimated 41 per cent of regular sports bettors experiencing one or more gambling-related problems,” Mr Keon said.
“Online sports betting is on the rise with one in 20 adults in NSW betting on sports and growing community concern that children and young people are being exposed to too much gambling advertising.
“Research shows that almost 50 per cent of 12–17-year-olds saw gambling advertising on television during sports and racing events on a weekly basis and almost 1 in 3 young people considered betting on sports to be normal.
“Reclaim the Game is about getting back to what sport is all about – watching, enjoying and cheering on your team without intrusive sports betting ads getting in the way.
“We are so pleased that Cricket NSW, Western Sydney Wanderers and Macarthur FC will continue to reclaim the game and provide a family friendly environment for their fans to enjoy games without being bombarded by betting ads.”
If you or someone you care about needs support or advice, please call GambleAware on 1800 858 858 for free and confidential help and support 24/7.
These Reclaim the Game partnership extensions come in the leadup to GambleAware Week, an annual initiative for the NSW community to raise awareness about the risks of gambling and gambling harm. GambleAware Week will take place from Monday 17 October – Sunday 23 October 2022.
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AUSTRAC intelligence sparked an investigation that helped the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) to uncover a NSW police officer who sold more than $1.3 million in family gold bars to fund a gambling addiction.
The officer was found by the LECC to have engaged in serious misconduct after taking 12 gold bars, weighing 50 ounces each that belonged to his uncle and was stored underneath his mother’s house.
He falsified know your customer forms to sell the bullion to 2 dealers, claiming the gold was a birthday gift or inheritance and then he used the proceeds on sports betting apps and later admitted to the false information stating he “needed the money”.
AUSTRAC first raised the alarm by flagging transactions, including significant gold sales to a bullion dealer with reported money laundering links.
Operation Dartmoor was launched and uncovered the full extent of misconduct.
The officer resigned from the NSW Police Force and has been referred to the Department of Public Prosecutions.
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said the case highlights the risks facing the bullion sector.
“Gambling harm doesn’t just drain bank accounts, it can drive desperate people into crime,” Mr Thomas said.
“When gambling turns to addiction, people often look for fast money and that can mean stealing, fraud or money laundering.
“Bullion is portable, valuable and attractive to people wanting to use it illegitimately.
“If you trade in bullion, you are part of the front line in stopping its exploitation.
“Your AML/CTF controls are the difference between being a trusted dealer or a weak link for crime.
“Every transaction is a potential red flag – it’s your responsibility to look twice, and if needed, report it.”
The post AUSTRAC Intelligence Helps Crack Gold Laundering Case Linked to Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Mindway AI, a leader in player protection solutions for the gaming industry, is pleased to announce a partnership with Crown Resorts to introduce GameScanner to their Australian operations. This partnership marks the largest global implementation of Mindway’s technology in a physical setting and is the first land-based application in Australia, setting a new industry standard and aligning with Crown’s commitment to safe and sustainable gaming.
GameScanner is an award-winning AI solution, trained by gambling harm experts, researchers, and psychologists, to better enable effective checks, with a focus on player well-being and preventative measures. GameScanner’s highly advanced technology enables operators to understand the risk distribution among their guests, allowing these risks to be identified and addressed to enhance player protection.
“The introduction of this technology at Crown is yet another example of our commitment to continuous safety improvements and harm minimisation,” said Dr Jamie Wiebe, Group EGM of Crown PlaySafe. “This will greatly assist in identifying risks and preventing harms from occurring in the first place, which is a major focus for us at Crown. In collaboration with our Crown PlaySafe initiatives, technology plays a critical role in helping us provide a safe environment and uphold our industry-leading standards for our guests.”
This partnership marks a new era for the growing Mindway AI, as the company expands its application of AI solutions into land-based settings. GameScanner currently engages with just over 12.8 million active players in 64 global jurisdictions each month.
“We are thrilled to partner with Crown Resorts in this significant initiative,” said Rasmus Kjaergaard CEO at Mindway AI. “Our shared vision for player welfare is the foundation of this collaboration. Our move into land-based applications signifies a significant milestone for Mindway AI. With GameScanner, we are reinforcing our commitment to player welfare across all gaming platforms, creating an environment where care and safety are paramount.”
The implementation of GameScanner marks a pivotal enhancement to Crown Resorts’ harm minimisation framework and reiterates the company’s dedication to industry-leading standards.
The post Mindway AI and Crown Resorts Partner to Launch Revolutionary Player Protection appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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.
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