Australia
Queensland Parliament Passes New Laws Restricting Cash Gambling at Casinos
The Queensland Parliament has passed new laws restricting cash gambling at casinos. New laws will increase regulatory scrutiny and enhance the integrity of Queensland casinos, with a focus on reducing gambling harm.
The reforms enable the government to implement the remaining recommendations of the Review of the Queensland operations of The Star Entertainment Group by the Honourable Robert Gotterson AO KC.
It marks the second raft of substantial legislative changes to the Casino Control Act 1982 in the past two years.
Under the legislation, casinos will be required to:
- implement mandatory carded play for certain games and activities, with restrictions on the use of cash, as well as mandatory pre-commitment, with time limits and enforced player breaks
- issue player cards and collect information relating to play and provide certain de-identified data to the regulator
- comply with an enforceable code of conduct to be defined in a regulation
- pay a supervision levy to the government to cover the costs of casino regulation and to fund harm minimisation programs
- take steps to exclude people who are banned from interstate casinos by an interstate police commissioner.
The legislation increases regulatory scrutiny, requiring Queensland casinos to undergo a periodic review of their operations and suitability at least every five years. Certain outdated and potentially stigmatising language was also removed from the legislation.
The reforms also enhance and modernise casino inspectorate powers, by updating the way inspectors may request information and allowing them to interview minors and excluded persons on casino premises (if the minor or excluded person is found on the premises).
The new laws represent the second set of substantial reforms to the Casino Control Act in the past two years.
Previous reforms implemented by the government in 2022 removed barriers to disciplinary action and ensure that meaningful penalties could be levelled against casinos where warranted.
The earlier reforms, which allowed government to fine casino entities up to $100 million and appoint a special manager to oversee their operations, were key in disciplinary action taken against The Star Entertainment Group in December 2022.
Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette DâAth:
âQueenslanders have the right to expect casinos are being operated lawfully and in a way that minimises harm.
âThe new laws will help ensure Queensland casinos operate with integrity and that they have measures in place to prevent gambling harm and combat money laundering.
âImportantly, these reforms pave the way to implementing the remaining recommendations of the Gotterson Review, with the government now focused on developing the regulations required to enforce these reforms.â
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.
Australia
Australiaâs 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 â 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 Australiaâs first centralised exclusion register.
ACMA Chair Nerida OâLoughlin 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.
âBetStop â the National Self-Exclusion Register represents a significant enhancement of consumer safeguards available to Australians who gamble,â Ms OâLoughlin said.
âThe 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.â
Figures released in August to mark the registerâs 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.
Australia
ALLIANCE PARTNERS TABCORP AND 1/ST CONTENT COMPLETE DEAL WITH THE JOCKEY CLUB OF TURKIYE TO DELIVER TURKISH RACING TO AUSTRALIA VIA SKY RACING
The Jockey Club of Turkiye (TĂŒrkiye Jokey KulĂŒbĂŒ, âTJKâ) has entered into a long-term agreement with Tabcorp, Australiaâs foremost wagering and entertainment company, and 1/ST CONTENT â a key division of 1/ST, the premier racing company in the Americas â to deliver domestic Turkish Racing to Australian fans via Sky Racing.
This breakthrough partnership will allow Tabcorp to distribute live domestic Turkish racing via its suite of market-leading Sky Racing channels in Australia for tote (pari-mutuel) and fixed-odds betting, thereby opening the gateway to broadcast more top-class and competitive Turkish racing to both wagering and non-wagering fans of the sport.
Tabcorpâs wagering arm, TAB, which has retail exclusivity across most of Australia, will be the first wagering operator to offer both vision and betting on racing from Turkey for its customers.
1/ST CONTENT, TJK, and B2E Racing Content, an Irish racing content company, have worked side-by-side to deliver on this opportunity to benefit racing fans worldwide. As TJKâs exclusive long-term partner, not only for international media and wagering distribution but also new pari-mutuel wagering types and fixed-odds technology, 1/ST CONTENTâs trading team and sister company 1/ST TECHNOLOGYâs overarching platform will facilitate the requisite betting architecture and pathways.
A fully-owned subsidiary of Tabcorp, Sky Racing imports and broadcasts over 72,000 international races per year. Now, all of Turkish racing, including highlights such as the world-renowned Gazi Derby, is available to Australian audiences alongside other feature global festivals like this week’s Breedersâ Cup World Championships, the US Triple Crown, the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot.
Paul Carew, Chief Operating Officer at Tabcorp, said:Â âThanks to our wider strategic alliance with 1/ST CONTENT, together with Arena Racing and Racecourse Media Group, Sky Racing continues to strengthen its position as Australiaâs passport to the best international racing, and this new deal eloquently demonstrates that point. Itâs a partnership that underlines our ongoing dedication to corralling more top-quality racing, this time from Turkey, a country boasting a rich history with thoroughbred racing. Anyone whoâs ever seen the Gazi Derby knows this is a nation that loves its horses, and it routinely produces thrilling action together with some breakout trainers and jockeys on the world stage.
âWeâd like to thank our good friends at both the TJK and 1/ST CONTENT for facilitating this delivery and integration in trademark seamless fashion. It is exciting for racing operators who are connected with our strategic alliance partners to start enjoying the benefits of our new co-operation.â
Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President International at 1/ST CONTENT, added: âThis agreement once again shows the power and flexibility that our recent strategic alliance has secured, with the localized expertise to benefit a host of new global clients. These complementary long-term partnerships are the bloodline for bringing a first-class international racing experience to new audiences.
âThis TJK deal also harnesses 1/STâs broader array of products and services, demonstrating how a growing cohesion between our varied international partners is helping to return value to the genuine stakeholders of the sport in any given jurisdiction.
âTabcorp naturally represent a strong and enduring collaboration for 1/ST CONTENT in the Australian market. Their distributional scope across digital and retail is second to none, while their local expertise is always a guiding hand for our delivery. We also look forward to further leveraging this relationship by delivering Turkish racing via Sky Channel to Tabcorpâs Asian customers in early 2025.â
Tuncel Aydın, Chief Executive Officer at TJK, commented: âTabcorpâs Sky Racing is all about expanding the variety of premium international racing, and weâre thrilled to have added our exclusive Turkish content to this all-encompassing gateway for the finest assemblage of worldwide racing.
âWe have already been impressed by the accuracy and reliability of 1/ST CONTENTâs betting technology and comprehensive international distribution, so they were our supplier of choice to enable this partnership which will drive growth and diversified revenues for our own domestic racing.â
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