Australia
Advertising Ban Gives NRL the Chance to Diversify its Revenue Streams
National Rugby League (NRL) club Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks recently announced that the exclusive naming rights to their stadium will be up for grabs at the end of the year.
The stadium is currently named after PointsBet, but the sports betting company has confirmed they will not be extending their sponsorship when it expires in December.
PointsBet and the Sharks shook hands on a six-year naming rights deal in 2019, but the government’s ban on gambling advertising has thrown a spanner into the works.
The Shark Stadium will need a new naming rights sponsor to replace PointsBet next year and the club have flung their doors wide open for interested parties to swoop in.
The federal government has been looking for ways to clamp down on gambling ads, not just in the NRL but throughout the Australian sports industry.
There are widespread concerns that most people believe betting is a natural part of sports and the excessive flaunting of gambling ads in stadiums fuels that argument.
Those concerns led the New South Wales (NSW) government to launch a āReclaim the Gameā initiative designed to challenge the way sports are used to promote gambling.
The parliamentary committee has also joined the fight against gambling ads and previously called for a phased ban, especially during sporting events.
Those restrictions will affect almost all of the NRL as just three out of the 17 clubs are not sponsored by betting companies.
PointsBet Australia Chief Executive Officer Andrew Catterall expressed his disappointment at not being able to extend what has been a āfantastic partnershipā with the Sharks.
He has called on the government to implement fresh gambling advertisement regulations that allow for a safe and responsible approach, but he may not get his wish anytime soon.
The Sharks’ fierce rivals, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, will also be affected by the new regulations. They have a relationship with PointsBet as their major jersey sponsor.
PointsBet is not the only top gambling company that will take a huge hit from the advertising ban. Some of the best online betting sites in Australia also have partnerships with NRL clubs.
However, they will now be forced to pull the plug on their sponsorship, although they’re bound to retain their loyal customer base among sports bettors.
Excessive Stadium Ads Spark Government Action
Gambling is a natural phenomenon across the sports industry in Australia and every part of the world. However, the stadium ads have become overbearing.
For instance, during an Australian Football League (AFL) game in March, fans in the stadium and those watching on free-to-air television were exposed to more than 70 gambling ads before 8.00 pm.
That is a ridiculous number of ads exposed to families tuning in to enjoy their favourite sport, especially considering children are most likely to be part of the broadcast audience.
The overwhelming presence of gambling ads not only detracts from the experience of watching the game but also normalises gambling for young viewers.
The newly implemented ban aims to tackle such a needless barrage of betting ads, which also doesn’t help anyone grappling with problem gambling.
However, while the ban tackles the overwhelming gambling ads, revenues are likely to take a considerable hit. The gambling industry has been a significant financial pillar of Australian sports, showering the industry with lucrative sponsorship deals.
The NRL has benefited from their partnership with the gambling industry. Numerous clubs rely on sponsorships from betting companies to bolster their revenue.
However, with gambling ads now silenced, the immediate financial impact will be felt by many clubs that are left with a gaping hole in their budgets.
Replacing the lost income from gambling ads won’t be easy. Finding new sponsors who can match the sheer financial muscle of gambling giants will also be a major challenge.
NRL Can Forge Strong Links with Other Sectors
Australia’s gambling ads ban is an opportunity for NRL clubs to explore new revenue streams and diversify their sponsorships into other industries.
There are several routes that the NRL clubs can explore. The thriving technology sector is a lucrative option, with companies eager to tap into the passionate NRL fanbase.
Partnering with tech companies could open the door for the NRL to access a younger, tech-savvy audience.
Such an alliance may have several other benefits, including co-branded events and digital content creation. They could also leverage innovations from the tech company to improve fan engagement.
Traditional partnerships with established brands such as car manufacturers, airlines and beverage companies shouldn’t be overlooked either, as they still hold enormous value.
These sectors understand the value of sports sponsorship and the brand awareness it generates. NRL clubs can strengthen these existing relationships and explore new opportunities within the sector.
The financial services sector is another potential route the NRL can follow as it offers robust sponsorship opportunities.
Banks, insurance companies and investment firms are always looking for ways to increase their visibility, especially within the sports industry.
Aligning with these institutions could provide the NRL and its clubs with stable, long-term sponsorships and open avenues for other important benefits.
Australia
IAGās Andrew W Scott Announced as Latest Conference Chair for 2025 Regulating the Game Conference in Sydney
Leading gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game has announced IAGās Vice Chairman and CEO Andrew W Scott as the second Conference Chair for its 2025 edition, to be held in Sydney from 10 to 13 March 2025.
With extensive expertise in the gaming sector, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the conference, guiding discussions and engaging participants in critical industry topics.
His career in the gaming industry spans nearly four decades, during which he has established himself as a media publisher, commentator, and journalist. He founded Macau gaming media and events company O MEDIA in 2009, of which Inside Asian Gaming is the flagship publication.
On 7 October 2024 at Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, Inside Asian Gaming and US-based gaming publication CDC Gaming announced a merger expected to complete on 31 December 2024. From 1 January 2025 the two companies will combine under a newly founded corporate parent, Complete Media Group, with Andrew at the helm as CEO. The newly merged group will cover the gaming industry in the Middle East, all of Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Pacific, the US, Canada and Latin America.
Andrew has led numerous social and professional industry events including the Asian Gaming Power 50 Black Tie Gala Dinner, the IAG Academy Summit and the IAG Academy IR Awards.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Andrew said: āIām delighted to chair a day at the Regulating the Game Conference. This event is a crucial platform for advancing important conversations in the gaming industry, particularly in the Australia and New Zealand markets, and I look forward to contributing to discussions that shape the future of regulation and innovation.ā
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, added: āWe are thrilled to have Andrew join us as a Conference Chair. His vast industry experience and global perspective will be invaluable in fostering insightful discussions at the 2025 conference.ā
The Regulating the Game conference is a flagship event that aims to bridge the gap between regulators, industry professionals and stakeholders. The conference is dedicated to introducing expert content, inspiring discussion and debate about policy and sector issues, and driving innovation to support efficient and effective gambling regulation. Now in its fifth edition, Regulating the Game continues to attract speakers and attendees from around the world, solidifying its status as a pivotal event for those shaping the future of the industry.
Australia
Crown Fined $2 Million for Self-exclusion Breaches
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined Crown Melbourne $2 million for allowing 242 people who had self-excluded from gambling to place bets at the casino over an 8-month period between October 2023 and May 2024.
VGCCC Chair Fran Thorn said: āIt is an offence under the Casino Control Act 1991 (Vic) to allow an excluded person, including anyone who has self-excluded, to enter, remain or gamble in the casino. It also contravenes Crown Melbourneās obligation to protect people at risk of gambling harm.
āThose who self-exclude must be able to trust that gambling providers will take all reasonable steps to enforce their decision to avail themselves of this harm prevention initiative.
āBy allowing people who have self-excluded to enter the casino and gamble, Crown has put them at risk of experiencing further gambling harm. However, it is also clear that a number of these self-excluded patrons are going to considerable lengths to avoid detection and break their exclusion requirements.ā
The self-exclusion breaches were detected through VGCCCās ongoing monitoring of the casinoās operations. The Commission determined the breaches were due to system and control failures rather than deliberate or egregious disregard by Crown of its regulatory obligations.
āAccordingly, the Commission has issued a direction to Crown to engage an independent expert to assess the effectiveness of, and make recommendations for improving, the management of its self-exclusion program. In due course, Crown will be required to implement the independent expertās recommendations,ā Ms Thorn said.
In April this year, the Commission directed Crown Melbourne to implement a transformation plan to continue its reform and remediation following the findings of the Finkelstein Royal Commission.
The Commission acknowledges Crown has taken some steps to strengthen its controls for policing exclusion orders, and introduced measures to improve its monitoring activities, physical security, use of technology and training of staff.
āThe VGCCC is committed to ensuring Crown continues its reform efforts,ā Ms Thorn said.
Australia
Jamieson OāReilly to Deliver Keynote at Regulating the Game 2025 Sydney
The organisers of Regulating the Game 2025 have announced that Jamieson OāReilly, CEO and Lead Hacker at Dvuln, will deliver a keynote titled āOceans 11 Downunder: How I Hacked Australiaās Two Biggest Casinos (Legally)ā at the 2025 edition of the conference in Sydney.
The organisers said: āIn this eye-opening keynote, Jamieson will take attendees behind the scenes of how he legally hacked into two of Australiaās largest casinos, uncovering serious vulnerabilities in their digital infrastructure. Casinos are known for their robust security measures, but as they increasingly rely on interconnected systems and digital processes, new vulnerabilities emerge that even the most fortified establishments must contend with.ā
Mr OāReilly added: āWhen most people think of a casino, they think of high security, underground vaults, and an overall intimidating complexity. But with great complexity comes great security consequences. Itās easy to think of a casino as one big money-making machine. But the reality is, under the hood, casinos are run by many individual moving parts, all relying on each other equally to function.ā
OāReillyās talk will delve into the specific techniques he used to breach these casinosā defences, exposing weaknesses in their systems, surveillance networks, customer databases and backend operations. Although both casinos have since patched the vulnerabilities, Jamiesonās experience highlights the broader challenges facing the gaming industry in the digital age, where the expanding attack surface presents real risks.
Paul Newson, event organiser and Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: āWith his incredible experience in ethical hacking and cybersecurity, Jamiesonās keynote is set to be a highly anticipated session of the conference. His revelations about how he legally breached the security of two major casinos provide crucial lessons for the entire gambling sector.
āAs the industry becomes more digitally interconnected, understanding the risks and learning how to defend against cyber threats is more important than ever.ā
As a leader in offensive security, he has conducted countless red team exercises and adversary simulations against some of the hardest targets in the world, from banks and casinos to government agencies, to test their resilience against Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).
His expertise helps organisations uncover critical vulnerabilities and build robust defences against highly skilled attackers.
Jamieson is a member of the CREST Approved Australasia Council, underscoring his leadership in the cybersecurity community in addition to this, Jamieson is also a co-author of the post-quantum encryption specification PPQM, demonstrating his knowledge in advanced cryptography and defensive security.
His keynote will not only offer an insiderās view into casino security vulnerabilities but will also provide practical insights into how businesses can strengthen their defences against ever-evolving digital threats. The session is essential for anyone in the gaming sector looking to safeguard their digital infrastructure in a connected world where no system is truly secure.
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