Australia
TexBet fined $33,000 for ignoring gambler’s request to close betting account
Online bookmaker O’Shea Bookmaking Pty Ltd, trading as TexBet, has been fined $33,000 for sending gambling ads and accepting new bets from a customer who had tried to close their betting account.
O’Shea Bookmaking was sentenced in the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 25 September for offences under the Betting and Racing Act 1998 (NSW).
This is the first time that an online betting agency has been fined in NSW for the offences of direct marketing without consent and failing to close a betting account on request, which came into effect in 2019.
Liquor & Gaming NSW investigated a complaint made by a former TexBet customer who withdrew their consent to receive gambling ads and requested that their betting account be closed in May 2022.
Despite this, TexBet sent the customer four gambling ads via text message and accepted 75 new bets from them after the date.
Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations Jane Lin said TexBet’s actions were serious breaches of the state’s gaming laws.
“By engaging in this behaviour TexBet has broken a law that was put in place to protect vulnerable people who are trying to exclude themselves from gambling,” Ms Lin said.
“These laws were specifically developed to reduce the risk of gambling harm by requiring online betting businesses to make it simple for people experiencing harm to self-exclude and opt not to receive ads about gambling products.
“We know that direct marketing of gambling inducements can cause an increase in betting, betting expenditure and gambling-related harm.
“Not only has TexBet broken the law, but it also placed this individual at greater risk of further gambling harm by sending them ads and accepting their bets after they specifically requested for their account to be closed and not to receive gambling ads.
“Online betting businesses that operate in NSW need to ensure they have robust systems in place to prevent direct advertising to people who have opted out.
“If they fail to abide by NSW gambling laws they should expect to be caught and prosecuted.”
The post TexBet fined $33,000 for ignoring gambler’s request to close betting account appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
Light & Wonder Signs Multi-year Systems Deal with SkyCity Entertainment
Light & Wonder Inc. has signed a seven-year Platform as a Service (PaaS) systems deal with SkyCity Entertainment Group in New Zealand and Australia. SkyCity will leverage L&W Engage to transform its casino floor and enhance the player experience. This collaboration includes software, hardware and custom development services.
SkyCity will also utilise the L&W Engage cutting-edge system to strengthen responsible gaming measures and customer engagement efforts. The technology includes loyalty features and tools that support safe, enjoyable gaming while fostering long-term, positive customer relationships.
“Light & Wonder is committed to delivering innovative technology that drives our customers’ success while fostering a responsible gaming environment. Our solutions are designed to enhance the player experience and boost operational efficiency, and we’re proud that L&W Engage supports initiatives that help our customers thrive responsibly,” said Jon Wolfe, President of Global Systems and Services at Light & Wonder.
“SkyCity is transforming the customer experience with the introduction of 100% carded play at our casinos. The PaaS collaboration with Light & Wonder is the foundation of how we will deliver best-in-class entertainment that prioritizes customer care,” said Judd Hallas, Group Manager Product Performance & Analysis, SkyCity.
Additionally, SkyCity will be upgrading their entire casino floors using L&W’s advanced iVISTA technology platform to further optimise the player interface offering flexibility in enhancing the at-game player experience, facilitating customer service and responsible gaming. Players will interact with the technology at a gaming machine via multi-touch displays, offering immediate response with vibrant animations and videos.
The post Light & Wonder Signs Multi-year Systems Deal with SkyCity Entertainment appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
NSW Govt Appoints New Board Members to ILGA
The NSW Government has made appointments to the board of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), including a deputy chairperson and two new members.
Associate Professor Amelia Thorpe and Nicholas Nichles have been appointed following a rigorous public expression of interest selection process. Additionally, existing member Chris Honey has been appointed deputy chairperson.
ILGA is a statutory decision-maker responsible for a range of liquor, registered club and gaming machine regulatory functions including determining licensing and disciplinary matters.
The appointments follow the end of the term of appointment for outgoing deputy chairperson Sarah Dinning, and also fill vacancies that existed on the board.
Mr Honey, who was appointed a member of ILGA earlier in 2024, has been named deputy chairperson until the end of his current appointment term (11 February 2027).
Mr Honey has extensive experience in the advisory and restructuring field, including working extensively in highly regulated sectors.
Associate Professor Thorpe and Mr Nichles have both been appointed for four years commencing 6 November 2024.
Associate Prof Thorpe is with the Faculty of Law & Justice at the University of New South Wales and an Acting Commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court.
Mr Nichles was previously a Consul General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Australian Government agency Austrade, based in the US.
The new appointments bring the ILGA board membership to seven. The new appointments will join chairperson Caroline Lamb, new deputy chairperson Mr Honey and current members Cathie Armour, Jeffrey Loy APM and Dr Suzanne Craig.
The post NSW Govt Appoints New Board Members to ILGA appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
Australia’s BetStop Receives International Regulatory Award
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been recognised with an international award for regulatory excellence for the launch of BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) announced that the ACMA received the Regulatory Excellence Award at the 2024 global regulators conference, citing the complex delivery and regulatory challenges that were overcome to create Australia’s first centralised exclusion register.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin praised ACMA staff who worked on the initiative and the success of the register in helping people make considered and supported decisions about their gambling.
“BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register represents a significant enhancement of consumer safeguards available to Australians who gamble,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“The IAGR award for regulatory excellence is a recognition of the dedication and collaboration of ACMA staff in delivering this important safeguard, which has supported the more than 30,000 Australians registered to date.”
Figures released in August to mark the register’s first 12 months showed younger Australians embracing self-exclusion, with almost half of registrants aged 30 and under and around 80% aged 40 and under.
The post Australia’s BetStop Receives International Regulatory Award appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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