Australia
VGCCC imposes record fines totalling $120 million on Crown Melbourne for Responsible Service of Gambling breaches

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has taken disciplinary action against Crown Melbourne for failing its Responsible Service of Gambling obligations, imposing two fines totalling $120 million.
The Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence found that Crown:
- breached its code of conduct for the Responsible Service of Gambling over many years by consistently failing to intervene to prevent gambling harm allowing customers to often gamble for long periods without a break, sometimes for more than 24 hours, and
- failed to comply with a statutory direction by the regulator to take all reasonable steps to prevent patrons from using plastic picks and other devices to simulate ‘automatic play’ when gambling on certain electronic gaming machines (or ‘pokies’).
Crown has accepted disciplinary action should be taken and the need for it to continue working on reforms to address these and other Responsible Service of Gambling obligations.
Chairperson Fran Thorn said:
“At the Royal Commission, Crown accepted the Responsible Service of Gambling as both a legal obligation and a condition of its social licence to operate. For a long time, Crown failed in its legal and moral obligation to ensure it provided its gambling products and services in a manner which minimised potential harm to its patrons, their families, friends and communities.
“The record fines totalling $120 million that we have imposed on Crown today will send a powerful message to Crown that the Commission will not tolerate misconduct that exposes our community to increased risks of gambling related harm.
“These were not isolated breaches. They were part of a pattern of extensive, sustained and systemic failures by Crown that spanned roughly 12 years.”
“We urge all gambling licence holders to read this decision. This disciplinary action also sounds a warning to all in the Victorian gambling industry that we expect them to do everything they can to minimise the harmful impacts of gambling. The Commission will be resolute in pursuing our new requirement to regulate for harm minimisation, and the industry can expect further action from the Commission on this matter.”
This is the second time the VGCCC has used its stronger enforcement powers to take disciplinary action against Crown for conduct uncovered by the Royal Commission. In May this year the VGCCC fined Crown $80 million over its China Union Pay process. This latest series of fines brings the total fines imposed on Crown by the VGCCC since receiving its strengthened enforcement powers to $200 million.
The VGCCC is also considering further disciplinary proceedings against Crown related to the other findings of the Royal Commission.
Background
The Royal Commission’s findings on Crown’s Responsible Service of Gambling obligations are set out in Chapter 8 of its final report.
Section 69 of the Casino Control Act 1991 makes it a condition of the casino licence for the casino operator to implement a Responsible Service of Gambling code of conduct that complies with certain regulations and Ministerial directions.
Section 23 of the Act is a provision which provides that the VGCCC may give to a casino operator a written direction that relates to the conduct, supervision or control of operations in the casino, and that the operator must comply with the direction as soon as it takes effect.
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Australia
BetMakers Partners with The Bookie Group

BetMakers Technology Group has entered into a partnership with The Bookie Group (TBG), who announced the appointment of veteran wagering executive Jason Scott as part of their growth and brand expansion strategy.
Scott, formerly CEO of Racing Queensland and a senior executive with Entain and BetMGM, brings a wealth of global racing and sports betting experience to TBG. His arrival marks a significant step as the group accelerates development of its multi-brand strategy, building on the early success of PonyBet, currently live and trading in the Australian market.
TBG’s growth is underpinned by its strategic partnership with BetMakers Technology Group, leveraging the newly launched Apollo platform to deliver highly personalised, agile wagering experiences.
“The early success of PonyBet on the Apollo platform has been fantastic to see and a great endorsement of the BetMakers solution. We’re excited to partner closely with Jason, Brian and the TBG team as they execute on their vision for a dynamic, multi-brand wagering business,” said Martin Tripp, Chief Operating Officer at BetMakers Technology Group.
“I’ve been incredibly impressed with the Apollo platform and the team behind it. The technology gives us the flexibility to move fast and innovate, and I’m excited to work with BetMakers to deliver unique and engaging products that modern punters are looking for,” said Jason Scott.
TBG has plans to launch several new betting brands throughout 2025 and 2026, focusing on personalisation, entertainment, and operational excellence. With Scott at the helm and BetMakers providing the technology backbone, the group is well-positioned to deliver differentiated products to market at speed and scale.
The post BetMakers Partners with The Bookie Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
VGCCC Fines Werribee RSL for Self-exclusion Failures

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.
Australia
ACMA: ReadyBet Breaches Gambling Self-exclusion Rules

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.
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