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.”
Aquisitions/Mergers
NextBet Launches as Acquisition Vehicle (AV) to Consolidate Mid-Market Operators; Announces Flagship Acquisition and Growth Strategy
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NextBet has announced its official launch, establishing itself as a bold new AV and challenger in the Australian wagering market. Formed to capitalise on the mounting pressure facing undercapitalised operators and an accelerating wave of industry consolidation, NextBet enters the market with the acquisition of well-established operator, CrossBet. This strategic move marks the first step in a bold plan to build Australia’s next dominant Tier Two wagering group under a united brand.
NextBet will be led by, Scott Cross, who will serve as Executive Director. The move is a strategic restructure designed to position the business for its next phase of inorganic expansion.
“The formation of NextBet creates the foundation to scale rapidly through an ambitious M&A strategy, while investing in proprietary capabilities to meet the demands of a changing wagering market,” said Cross.
Strategic Vision: The Path to Tier Two Dominance
NextBet is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy – rolling up undercapitalised lower-tier operators while driving operational efficiency through product, speed of profiling and a differentiated user experience that attracts and retains high-value customers.
To support this next phase of expansion, NextBet is actively seeking strategic investors who share its vision for reshaping the mid-market wagering landscape. Investment will be used to accelerate acquisitions, enhance platform capabilities and solidify NextBet’s position as the go-to consolidator in the Australian market.
The current $419M valuation for PointsBet Holdings Limited confirms that the market rewards scaled, tech-enabled operators with focused execution. NextBet’s model builds on this blueprint, designed to fill the emerging leadership void in the Tier Two segment with an advanced offering custom built for modern wagering dynamics.
NextBet is currently in advanced discussions with several additional acquisition targets and expects to announce further transactions in the coming quarters.
The post NextBet Launches as Acquisition Vehicle (AV) to Consolidate Mid-Market Operators; Announces Flagship Acquisition and Growth Strategy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The NSW Government has amended the Casino Control Regulation to extend the term of The Star’s manager Nick Weeks, who will continue to have oversight of casino operations until at least 31 March 2026.
The government extended Mr Weeks’ term at the request of the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) after the NICC declined to lift the suspension of The Star’s licence.
Mr Weeks will continue to hold the licence for The Star over the next six-month period, allowing the casino to operate gaming facilities while its licence remains suspended.
The NICC first appointed Mr Weeks to the role of manager in October 2022, when The Star’s casino licence was suspended following the first Bell Review.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said there was still too much uncertainty surrounding The Star to consider reinstating its casino licence at this time.
“The NICC considers it appropriate to continue with the current arrangement so it can better assess the effectiveness of important remediation work and await the outcomes of other pressing financial matters concerning The Star,” Mr Crawford said.
“The NICC understands the many challenges The Star is facing and is closely monitoring The Star’s progress as it works to prove it is capable of regaining its casino licence.”
The post NICC extends The Star manager’s term for six months appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The organisers of Regulating the Game have announced the launch of Industry Spotlight Sessions as part of the event’s 2026 programme. The conference will take place from March 9–11, 2026 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.
New for 2026, the Industry Spotlight Sessions are concise, 15-minute presentations embedded within the main conference programme, giving leading manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers across gaming, lotteries, wagering and sports betting a platform to share strategic insights, innovation and sector direction.
The sessions will provide a powerful platform for established players to:
• Highlight new products, enhancements or technical capabilities
• Share research, data insights or strategic outlooks
• Spotlight innovations that are shaping operational performance and player engagement
• Provide a forward view on emerging trends and technologies influencing the sector
Distinct from Pitch! at the Sydney Opera House (March 9) – which has evolved into a high-energy marketplace of ideas spotlighting emerging RegTech, compliance innovation, disruptive policy concepts and safer gambling solutions – the Industry Spotlight Sessions are tailored for established players to profile market-ready innovations, demonstrate commercial leadership and share product direction.
Paul Newson, principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, said: “The Industry Spotlight Sessions are being introduced at the request of industry attendees who wanted a dedicated platform to showcase pioneering products, strategies, and sector direction and insights. With only four Industry Spotlight slots available in 2026, this is a limited opportunity for organisations to put themselves front and centre before an international audience of regulators, policy leaders, and industry decision-makers.”
The addition of Industry Spotlights reflects RTG’s commitment to sparking innovation and shaping the future of the sector. By providing a platform for announcing new directions, showcasing developments and sharing strategic outlooks, these sessions are designed to broaden dialogue, foster cross-sector collaboration and keep the conference at the cutting edge of regulatory and industry evolution.
Regulating the Game 2026 will also feature:
• Pitch! at the Sydney Opera House (March 9)
• The inaugural RTG Global Awards & Gala Dinner (March 10)
• An expanded exhibition showcase and programme of expert masterclasses.
Early bird tickets are now open, with discounted rates for early registrants. Group packages are also available but strictly limited.
The post Industry Spotlight Sessions Announced for Regulating the Game 2026 Sydney appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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