Australia
Gaming Compliance Inspections Underway Across New South Wales
Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade
Liquor and Gaming New South Wales (NSW) is kicking off the next phase of its targeted compliance program to ensure pubs and clubs are complying with key gaming harm-minimization measures.
Phase two builds upon an already sustained compliance program that has seen more than 875 inspections over the past seven months. The first phase of the compliance program has resulted in 77 penalty notices issued for gaming-related breaches and the commencement of three prosecutions.
Under this next phase, a further 500 inspections are expected to be undertaken at pubs and clubs across the state with Liquor and Gaming NSW taking a zero-tolerance approach to any breaches of key gambling harm minimization measures.
The Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Executive Director at Liquor and Gaming NSW, Jane Lin, said while most venues were found to be compliant, inspectors are still identifying serious issues.
These include:
âą Venues not operating in accordance with their primary purpose, meaning they are only operating gambling areas or only operating the bar in the gaming room
âą The placement of ATMs in areas where gaming machines are located
âą Patrons needing to pass through gaming rooms to access other parts of a venue.
âGaming harm-minimization measures are designed to ensure a safe gaming industry and limit the harm that can be associated with gambling,â Lin said. âFailure to comply with these requirements carries penalties up to $5,500 and is grounds for disciplinary action.
âOur compliance program is all about promoting a culture of safer gambling and protecting patrons and the wider community from problems associated with excessive gambling.â
Under this next phase of the compliance program inspectors will be visiting dozens of venues across metropolitan and regional NSW. These include venues in the Greater Sydney area as well as the Liverpool Plains, Tamworth, Armidale, Uralla, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Singleton, Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook local government areas.
âOur inspectors will also be observing any gaming signage during the course of these inspections and will be happy to provide information and answer any questions venue operators may have about the signage ban, which comes into force on September 1,â Lin said.
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.
âLight & Wonder is committed to delivering innovative technology that drives our customersâ success while fostering a responsible gaming environment. Our solutions are designed to enhance the player experience and boost operational efficiency, and weâre proud that L&W Engage supports initiatives that help our customers thrive responsibly,â said Jon Wolfe, President of Global Systems and Services at Light & Wonder.
âSkyCity 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,â said Judd Hallas, Group Manager Product Performance & Analysis, SkyCity.
Additionally, SkyCity will be upgrading their entire casino floors using L&Wâs 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.
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.
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