Australia
LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A NEW CASINO REGULATOR
The Bergin Inquiry’s key recommendation for a standalone casino regulator is well on its way to becoming a reality, with temporary arrangements put in place to support the new structure.
The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) has announced practical interim arrangements ahead of legislative changes to establish the independent casino regulator.
In August 2021 the Government agreed to support all 19 recommendations from the Bergin Inquiry Report on the regulation of casinos in NSW and the suitability of Crown Resorts to hold a restricted gaming licence.
Work then started to redesign the regulatory structure of NSW casinos, with a view to introducing legislative changes to parliament in mid-2022.
ILGA Chairperson Philip Crawford said until legislative change is finalised, the interim arrangements will enhance the management of existing and emerging risks in the current casino regulatory environment, particularly the risks of money laundering and other financial crimes associated with casino activities.
“We need improved capacity now and that’s what these interim arrangements will provide for,” Mr Crawford said.
It is expected the arrangements will start in February 2022 and include:
- Functional separation of casino regulation from liquor and gaming regulation within the current casino regulator, ILGA, including some ILGA members dedicated to the consideration and determination of casino matters.
- Changing the appointment of the current ILGA chairperson Philip Crawford from part-time to full-time to enable a stronger leadership focus and commitment to casino regulation.
- Appointment of a new ILGA board member with anti-money laundering expertise.
- Allocation of additional resources to relevant teams within the Department of Customer Service to better support ILGA’s exercise of its legislative functions and powers.
- Development of a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Customer Service and AUSTRAC to strengthen collaboration and information sharing between the agencies.
The arrangements reinforce the ILGA’s strong commitment to ensuring casino operations in NSW are free from criminal influence, and the potential risks of harm associated with casino activities are adequately monitored and contained.
“ILGA will use the new arrangements to further enhance its ability to identify and address organised crime in casinos and to expand its cooperation with the ACIC, AUSTRAC and the NSW Police Force,” Mr Crawford said.
Australia
Newcastle Hotel Fined for Gaming Machine Offences
Newcastle hotel out of pocket $7,540 for gaming machine offences
A Newcastle hotel has been fined $7,540 after being convicted of operating gaming machines outside authorised hours.
The licensee of the Royal Inn Hotel at Waratah pleaded guilty to 13 offences under the Gaming Machines Act 2001 in Downing Centre Local Court on March 11 following an investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW.
Executive Director of Regulatory Operations, Jane Lin, said these were serious breaches of the state’s gaming laws.
“These restrictions are in place to reduce the risks of gambling harm by limiting the time patrons can spend playing gaming machines,” Lin said. “Apart from breaking the law, the Royal Inn Hotel placed its patrons at greater risk of gambling harm. As this case shows, venues that fail to abide by gaming machine trading hours can expect to be caught and face significant penalties.”
Liquor & Gaming NSW reviewed the hotel’s gaming activity and found that on Saturday, April 15, 22 and 29, 2023, gaming machines were operated during the shutdown period from 1am to 7am. The hotel submitted to the court that the breaches were a genuine misunderstanding of the licence conditions by the approved manager.
In sentencing, the magistrate noted the onus was on the licensee to ensure staff were appropriately trained and that a message had to be sent to those venues, which had the highly profitable right of operating gaming machines in New South Wales.
For free, confidential advice and support, call GambleAware on 1800 858 858 24/7 or visit www. GambleAware.nsw. gov. au.
Australia
AUSTRAC Commences Investigation into Online Betting Company Bet365
AUSTRAC has commenced an enforcement investigation into Hillside (Australia New Media) Pty Limited (bet365).
The investigation will focus on whether bet365 has complied with its obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act) and follows a supervisory campaign of entities within the corporate bookmaker sector and AUSTRAC’s consideration of the external audit report received following AUSTRAC’s order to bet365 to appoint an external auditor.
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas, said betting agencies, like all regulated entities, have a significant role to play in combating financial crime.
“Corporate bookmakers must have robust systems in place to ensure they can manage and mitigate risks associated with money laundering and terrorism financing,” Mr Thomas said.
“Businesses without adequate processes in place to manage those risks leave themselves vulnerable to exploitation by criminals.”
Australia
Aristocrat Appoints Matthew Primmer as Chief Product Officer
Aristocrat Leisure Ltd announced the appointment of Mr Matthew (Matt) Primmer to the position of Chief Product Officer, reporting directly to Aristocrat CEO & Managing Director Trevor Croker. Mr Primmer’s appointment is effective immediately. He will join Aristocrat’s Executive Steering Committee, and remain based at the company’s offices in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mr Primmer comes to the role with over 20 years’ experience in the global gaming industry, including ten years at Aristocrat in a range of senior product strategy, insights and leadership roles in Australia and the US. Mr Primmer has been Chief Product Officer at Aristocrat Gaming for four years, leading Design & Development (D&D) in Aristocrat’s largest operating business, with casino game content and hardware comprising its most strategically important portfolios. Mr Primmer previously held marketing and sales roles at Ainsworth Game Technology and Shuffle Master. Mr Primmer holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Wollongong.
“I am delighted to elevate a global gaming executive of Matt’s calibre to our leadership team. Over the past decade, Matt has made a strong contribution to building and extending Aristocrat Gaming’s global product leadership, fostering our outstanding creative and technical talent, championing D&D and placing customer needs at the centre of our product strategy,” Mr Croker said.
“Matt’s appointment brings additional, proven gaming experience to the executive team. In his new role, Matt will help us maintain an enterprise view of product strategy as our business grows to encompass a broader range of product verticals, while also ensuring the most effective allocation of D&D investment” Croker added.
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