Australia
Victoria Police and ESIC collaborate in fight against match-fixing
A new agreement will provide police with real-time information alerts from across the world to target suspicious betting activity and deter betting-related match-fixing in esports.
The Letter of Arrangement was signed between Victoria Police and esports integrity body the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) in February this year.
It will allow Victoria Police’s Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit (SIIU) to receive real-time betting alerts from ESIC on esports events should any matches exhibit suspicious betting activity, ensuring detectives can commence an investigation as soon as possible where required.
ESIC is a not-for-profit organisation whose members include government bodies, national esports federations and tournament operators from around the world.
The organisation was established in 2015 with the specific aim of disrupting, preventing and prosecuting all forms of cheating in esports, including match manipulation and doping.
Victoria Police’s SIIU conducted the first Australian law enforcement investigation into match-fixing in esports in 2019.
Five men were charged with a range of offences including engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome and using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes.
The offences are subject to maximum penalties of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Victoria Police treats match-fixing in esports as seriously as it does traditional sport.
The 2013 amendment to the Victorian Crimes Act introduced four criminal offences directly related to corrupting the betting outcome of an event. These offences do not specify the type of sporting event, but instead refer to the corruption of a betting outcome. As such, any corruption of the betting outcome of an esports event is covered by the legislation.
Anyone with information about illegal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to
Quotes attributable to Assistant Commissioner Chris Gilbert – Intelligence and Covert Support Command:
“Sports gambling and esports are global industries and the international aspect can make match-fixing investigations extremely complex.
“This Letter of Arrangement will see ESIC sharing real-time suspicious betting alerts – particularly from offshore wagering operators – with our detectives, allowing for investigations into suspected match-fixing to commence almost immediately.
“Unfortunately, given the demographic of esports, players can be potentially more vulnerable targets than players involved in traditional sports.
“They are often young adults who could be more susceptible to corrupt approaches by criminal entities due to minimal prizemoney and a lack of focus on integrity and education by game developers.
“Victoria Police will continue to target the infiltration of esports by any potential offenders – including by organised crime syndicates.
“Alongside this agreement with ESIC, we’ve developed strong relationships with a number of esports stakeholders and wagering operators, and we’ll continue to work together to target any suspicious activity.
“It’s important that people understand these are significant criminal offences with substantial penalties and we will take any reports of suspicious activity seriously.”
Quotes attributable to Stephen Hanna, Director of Global Strategy at the Esports Integrity Commission:
“Collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the Esports Integrity Commission is essential to ensuring a fair and safe environment for esports competitors and fans. We commend Victoria Police’s proactive and engaged approach to working with ESIC to prevent and deter match-fixing in esports.
“Esports is a global industry that requires a global response to maintain integrity. By working together with law enforcement agencies, like Victoria Police, we can better identify and investigate suspicious betting activity and protect the integrity of esports competitions.
“This Letter of Arrangement signifies the Esports Integrity Commission and Victoria Police’s alignment on the importance of disrupting, preventing, and prosecuting match-fixing in esports. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Victoria Police and other law enforcement agencies around the world to safeguard the future of esports.”
Reading Time: < 1 minute
SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited confirmed that the New Zealand Gambling Commission has granted SkyCity Queenstown Limited with a renewal of its casino venue licence for a further 15 years from 7 December 2025, pursuant to section 134 of the Gambling Act 2003.
SkyCity Chief Executive Officer, Jason Walbridge, said: “We’re delighted with this outcome. We look forward to continuing to play our part in Queenstown’s fantastic range of entertainment for both locals and visitors.”
The post SkyCity Announces Renewal of Queenstown Casino Licence appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
AUSTRAC has issued Cryptolink an infringement notice of $56,340 and accepted a court-enforceable undertaking that addresses the company’s AML/CTF deficiencies.
The action follows AUSTRAC’s Crypto Taskforce identifying late reporting of large cash transactions and weaknesses in the company’s money laundering and terrorism financing risk assessments.
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said the package of infringement notices and the enforceable undertaking is designed to ensure useable intelligence does not slip through the cracks.
“The infringement notice addresses previous non-compliance around reporting and the enforceable undertaking seeks assurance that Cryptolink has improved its risk assessments and strengthened its AML/CTF controls,” Mr Thomas said.
“Crypto ATMs are one of the highest risk money laundering channels in Australia at the moment. They are being exploited by criminals to launder money and move scam proceeds. This is not conjecture. It’s what our Crypto Taskforce observed and has been backed up by the work of our law enforcement partners.”
As part of the enforceable undertaking, Cryptolink must engage third party reviewers to:
• validate whether the business has reported all required threshold transactions to AUSTRAC
• assess whether the business has implemented effective controls for large cash transactions
• review Cryptolink’s money laundering and terrorism financing risk assessment to ensure it is fit-for-purpose.
Cryptolink has fully cooperated with AUSTRAC and paid the infringement notice in full. Payment of an AUSTRAC infringement notice is not an admission of liability.
The enforcement action comes after intensive engagement with crypto ATM operators since late 2024.
Working in partnership with law enforcement, AUSTRAC’s Crypto Taskforce estimated that 85% of transactions made by the 90 most prolific crypto ATM users were the proceeds of scams and money mule activity.
“Scams are one of the biggest drivers of suspicious activity and criminals have been using crypto ATMs to move and cash out stolen funds,” said Mr Thomas.
A recently released Australian Institute of Criminology report found more than 40% of cybercrime victims are revictimised, often within months.
“With this in mind we want people to be cautious of making transactions to any wallet they don’t control and thinking twice in circumstances where someone asks you to deposit money into a crypto ATM.”
The second stage of the Crypto Taskforce is focussed on high-risk operations.
“Criminals don’t care how they hurt people, they care about making money,” said Mr Thomas.
“We want to work with the digital currency exchanges to harden the sector against exploitation but if operators don’t take this seriously, we will take action.”
The post AUSTRAC Cracks Down on Cryptolink for Late Reporting appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
RTG Global Awards to be Presented During Regulating the Game 2026 Gala Dinner on 10 March 2026
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Momentum is building for the inaugural RTG Global Awards – a new global platform celebrating excellence in leadership, innovation and impact across the gambling industry.
Designed to spotlight those advancing integrity, safer gambling and sector resilience, the awards have attracted international attention from organisations driving meaningful reform and raising industry standards.
To be presented at the Regulating the Game 2026 Gala Dinner on Tuesday March 10, 2026 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, the RTG Global Awards recognise excellence across leadership, safer gambling, compliance, technology innovation and community impact.
Paul Newson, principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, said the awards have struck a chord with the sector:
“There’s a genuine need to acknowledge those striving to lift standards and lead with purpose. The RTG Global Awards provide a platform to celebrate excellence, integrity, and innovation – and to champion those shaping a stronger, more sustainable industry.”
The RTG Global Awards feature six categories:
Leadership Voice – Recognising principled, reform-focused leadership that strengthens capability, trust and integrity.
Safer Gambling Champion – Celebrating initiatives that deliver meaningful harm minimisation outcomes.
Compliance Excellence – Highlighting uplift in AML, risk culture and regulatory compliance.
RegTech Solution of the Year – Showcasing technologies improving sector integrity and compliance.
Community Impact Initiative – Rewarding projects delivering tangible community benefit.
Emerging Leader – Spotlighting rising talent (under 40) driving positive change.
Nominations are now open – anyone can put forward a colleague, organisation or initiative that exemplifies leadership and impact.
The RTG Global Awards judging panel brings together internationally respected leaders with deep expertise across integrity, gambling law and safer gambling, including:
Khalid Ali, Chief Executive Officer, International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA)
Jamie Nettleton, Partner, Addisons, and former President, International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL)
Tracy Parker, Vice-President, Policy, Standards & Accreditation, Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)
Together, they bring a wealth of global experience and insight to the judging process – ensuring the awards reflect genuine excellence, leadership and impact across the international gambling sector.
The post RTG Global Awards to be Presented During Regulating the Game 2026 Gala Dinner on 10 March 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Central Europe6 days agoEsportSpot Announces Launch of Online Casino Review Website in Poland
-
Central Europe7 days ago
CT Interactive strengthens presence in Slovakia with launch of new games on Tipos.sk
-
David Mann Chief Commercial Officer at Swintt6 days ago
Swintt bring players four times the fun in Lucky Fortune Door Wild
-
Booming Games7 days ago
Booming Games Takes Players Sky-High with Thunder Eagle Hold and Win Extreme 10,000
-
ADM5 days ago
Swintt games go live in Italy after receiving ADM certification
-
Evoplay7 days ago
Evoplay answers the call of the wild in festive Young Deer Song
-
Bragg Gaming Group6 days ago
Bragg Rolls Out Premium Content Suite with Napoleon Romania
-
18Peaches6 days ago
Week 45/2025 slot games releases
