The organisers of Regulating the Game 2025 have announced that Mr Brendan Thomas, chief executive officer of AUSTRAC, will be a featured speaker at the 2025 edition of the conference, taking place at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour from 10-13 March 2025.

Mr Thomas, who began his 5-year term as AUSTRAC CEO in January 2024, brings extensive experience in leading public services and delivering reforms, particularly within NSW’s criminal and civil justice systems.

As the head of Australia’s financial intelligence unit and AML/CTF regulator, he oversees AUSTRAC’s efforts to safeguard the financial sector from criminal exploitation while providing critical intelligence to support national security, law enforcement and regulatory partners.

AUSTRAC has intensified its focus on the gambling sector, following a series of high-profile enforcement actions against major casino operators and several corporate bookmakers. Reports in the Financial Review have also highlighted AUSTRAC’s increased scrutiny of pubs and clubs in the wake of the 2022 NSW Crime Commission’s Project Islington, which, while finding no widespread laundering of criminal proceeds, revealed significant amounts of illicit funds being gambled in these venues.

Paul Newson, principal at Vanguard Overwatch and organiser of Regulating the Game, said: “Having Brendan Thomas speak at the conference signals AUSTRAC’s ongoing commitment to the gambling sector. His participation emphasises the importance of making sure the industry is alert to money laundering risks and continually strengthened against financial crime.”

Mr Thomas’ presentation is expected to offer invaluable insights for regulators, industry leaders and key stakeholders, especially as AUSTRAC’s role in combatting financial crime is set to expand further with the anticipated passing of the Government’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2024. This legislation aims to extend the AML/CTF regime to high-risk professions, such as real estate agents, lawyers, accountants and dealers in precious metals and stones, marking a pivotal shift in Australia’s regulatory landscape.

Regulating the Game 2025 will be held in Sydney, Australia, from March 10 to 13. The event will once again serve as a platform for thought leaders, innovators and regulators to come together and explore the most pressing issues in the gambling sector.

You’re about to dive into the latest developments in EU gambling regulations. Discover how these new rules are reshaping the landscape for operators and players alike. From stricter advertising guidelines to enhanced player protection measures, find out why these changes matter and how they’re impacting the industry.

The European Union has long been at the forefront of regulating the gambling industry, and its latest set of rules is no exception. With the aim of promoting responsible gambling practices and protecting vulnerable individuals, these new regulations are set to transform the way operators conduct business and how players engage with gambling services. Let’s explore the key changes and their potential impact on the industry.

Stricter Advertising Guidelines

One of the most significant changes in the new EU regulations is the tightening of advertising guidelines for gambling operators. These rules aim to curb aggressive marketing tactics and misleading promotions that could lure vulnerable individuals into excessive gambling.

Key changes include:

• Restrictions on using celebrities or influencers in gambling advertisements
• Limitations on the timing and frequency of ads during sports broadcasts
• Mandatory inclusion of responsible gambling messages in all promotional materials

For operators, these changes mean a complete overhaul of their marketing strategies. Many online casino real money platforms will need to rethink their approach to player acquisition and retention, focusing more on responsible gambling messaging and less on flashy promotions.

Enhanced Player Protection Measures

The new regulations also introduce more robust player protection measures, designed to prevent problem gambling and ensure a safer gaming environment for all users.

Some of the key features include:

• Mandatory deposit limits and cooling-off periods
• Enhanced self-exclusion programs across all EU member states
• Improved age verification processes to prevent underage gambling

These measures are expected to have a significant impact on player behaviour and operator practices. While some industry insiders worry about potential revenue losses, many experts believe these changes will lead to a more sustainable and responsible gambling ecosystem in the long run.

Data Protection and Privacy Enhancements

In an era of increasing digital threats, the EU has also focused on strengthening data protection and privacy measures for gambling operators and their customers.

New requirements include:

• Enhanced encryption standards for financial transactions
• Stricter protocols for storing and handling personal data
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments

These changes come as welcome news to players concerned about their online safety and privacy. For operators, implementing these measures may require significant investments in technology and infrastructure.

Impact on Sports Betting and Fantasy Sports

The new regulations also extend to the world of sports betting and fantasy sports, with several provisions aimed at maintaining the integrity of sports and preventing match-fixing.

Key changes in this area include:

• Stricter monitoring of betting patterns and suspicious activities
• Enhanced cooperation between operators, sports organisations and law enforcement agencies
• New guidelines for sports betting news coverage to prevent the spread of misleading information

These measures are expected to have a profound impact on the sports betting industry, potentially leading to more transparent and fair betting practices.

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

As the industry adapts to these new regulations, both operators and players face a period of adjustment. While some may view the changes as restrictive, many industry experts see them as an opportunity for innovation and growth.

For operators, the challenge lies in finding new ways to engage players while adhering to stricter guidelines. This could lead to the development of more creative and responsible gambling products and services.

Players, on the other hand, can look forward to a safer and more transparent gambling environment. With enhanced protection measures in place, they can enjoy their favourite games with greater peace of mind.

As the EU continues to lead the way in responsible gambling practices, other regions may soon follow suit. This could pave the way for a global shift towards a more sustainable and ethical gambling industry, benefiting operators, players and society as a whole.

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.”