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Australia

Bookmakers warn of “tough times ahead” as regulators crack down on Australian gambling

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Aussie Bookmakers warn of “tough times ahead”
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Australia has the world’s largest gambling spend per head. The Melbourne Cup celebrations cause bookies to warn that party could soon be over as political pressure mounts.

 

Australia hosted its 157th Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, and parties following the prestigious race event stretched into the early hours – particularly from those of the Emerald Isle. Irish runner Rekindling galloped past the post and claimed the victory, with the nation claiming the top three finishers.

One lucky punter scooping AU$1 million ($767,000 USD) in a TAB promotion and another pulling $151,255 ($115,000USD) from a $50 trifecta wager.

But while punters and the race industry celebrate long into the night, bookmakers have warned that the party could be over for the nation’s betting industry.

Gambling faces a significant backlash from lobbyists and politicians, who are concerned that having the world’s largest gambling spend is also creating the world’s largest gambling problem.

Huge gaming market sparks fears over player safety

Australia has a relatively small population and a well-established betting scene, but it is not as lucrative a market for operators as Las Vegas, Macau or Singapore. However, the AU$23 billion (US$17 billion) market sees the highest spend per person per year, with the average annual loss hitting US$990 in 2016.

A Household, Income and Labour Dynamics survey in August revealed that there are 200,000 problem gamblers in Australia, while figures from the Australian Gambling Statistics Bureau show a spend of $1,241.86 per adult per year.

This is a sharp 7.7% increase on figures from 2014-15, suggesting that gambling spend is rising fast.

While increased spend is usually good for business, bookmakers and casino operators face a backlash from anti-gambling lobbyists who feel there is too little regulation in the gaming industry. To appease campaigners and lessen the general public’s fears, politicians and regulators are trying to crack down on the gambling industry with new taxes and laws.

Bookmakers warn of hard times ahead

The two key measures introduced to curb problem gambling rates are changes to advertising rules and a new point of consumption tax, applied to net wagering revenues and gambling losses at a rate of 15% in South Australia this summer, with other states set to follow.

Bookmakers have warned that the tax could severely reduce profits and could even make operating within the nation an impossibility in the future.

The Financial Times reports that foreign operators William Hill, Bet365 and Ladbrokes have posted losses since they entered the Australian market, while native operator Sportsbet says a nationwide roll-out of the consumption tax could cost the company half of its pre-tax profits.

“There are tough times ahead… This is an earthquake – a seismic event for the industry,” warned Sportsbet CEO Cormac Barry.

Barry’s comments come as another major change takes effect. Advertising laws in Canberra will be changed to prohibit sports bet advertising on television during matches, and before 8.30pm.

Rules may also be introduced which prohibit the promotion of free bets, deposit bonuses and other rewards for players who sign up.

If the laws have an impact, they could be rolled out nationwide – which would severely limit the reach of gambling advertisers and cut them off from their key audience: sports fans.

Calls for pokie reform go unheard

While anti-gambling campaigners will be pleased that advertising laws are changing to limit vulnerable people’s exposure to them, the changes don’t go far enough for some.

Critics say that the biggest danger to players is not the sports bet industry, but the poker machines which are found in clubs and casinos all over the country.

Similar to the UK’s recent ruling on fixed odds betting terminal stakes, campaigners want maximum pokie stakes reduced to AU$1 per person.

The recent Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey found that spend is significantly higher on poker and pokie machines than on sports or race betting – as is the average loss. If Australia wants to make an impact on its problem gambling rates without harming its valuable betting industry, it might need to address the national love of pokies before targeting sports bets.

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Australia

AUSTRAC and Pacific Financial Intelligence Units Gather in Brisbane to Tackle Financial Crime in the Region

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Identifying ways to combat serious financial crime is the key focus when financial intelligence units (FIUs) from across the Pacific meet in Brisbane.

Representatives from 13 Pacific nations are gathering for the Pacific Financial Intelligence Community (PFIC) plenary, which is hosted by AUSTRAC.

The three-day event, which is now going on, provides a valuable opportunity for FIUs to further explore initiatives to fight financial crime. These include joint operations, intelligence sharing, capacity-building activities and region-wide technological enhancements.

Since last year’s meeting in the Cook Islands, PFIC members have focused their efforts on combating transnational organised crime, corruption and child sexual exploitation. AUSTRAC has worked with FIUs to ensure they have the training and capabilities required to proactively identify and tackle these crimes.

As well as ongoing themes such as money laundering, this year’s meeting will also address emerging issues such as illicit use of cryptocurrency, new payment platforms and gambling in the region.

AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said PFIC is a good example of the value strong regional partnerships bring to combating money laundering and other serious financial crime.

“As Australia’s financial intelligence unit, we’re not just focused on ensuring the security of Australia’s financial system, we also have a key role to play in working with our neighbours to combat the harms posed by criminal networks across the region,” Mr Thomas said.

“To put it into perspective, behind each of these crimes are people who are left devastated by the impacts of online scams, child sexual exploitation, environmental crimes or drug trafficking.

“PFIC was established by AUSTRAC and other regional partners in 2021 to promote greater collaboration among Pacific FIUs, and we’re so proud of the outcomes it’s already delivered.”

The Head of the Cook Islands FIU and outgoing Co-Chair of the PFIC, Mr Walter Henry, said he’s honoured to have played a leading role in PFIC over the last two years.

“Serious financial crime affects all of our nations, so we must work together to combat threats which undermine our financial security and community safety,” Mr Henry said.

“The PFIC has proven to be a vital channel for sharing intelligence, for working on capability enhancements and for staying across emerging threats and developments in technology.”

The Attorney-General will address the conference, to speak about Australia’s commitment to building strong regional partnerships to combat transnational financial crime, and ongoing efforts to strengthen Australia’s anti-money laundering system.

Representatives from the financial intelligence units of Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu will be in attendance.

AUSTRAC is the permanent Co-Chair of the forum. The Head of the Fiji FIU is scheduled to take on the rotating Co-Chair position at the end of this plenary meeting.

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Australia

Vanguard Overwatch is Hardening Gaming Venues Against Financial Crime and Working Towards Minimising Gambling Harm

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Vanguard Overwatch is positioning itself as an essential partner for gaming venues and wagering operators, supporting them in navigating regulatory complexities and enhancing their operational integrity. Under the leadership of founder Paul Newson—whose impressive career spans regulation, governance, and public policy across several key domains—Vanguard Overwatch has launched a rigorous accreditation programme that redefines industry standards for anti-money laundering (AML) and responsible gambling practices.

At the core of Vanguard Overwatch’s approach is a comprehensive framework built on eight foundational pillars that ensure holistic evaluation and continuous improvement in key areas:

1. Strategy, Risk and Governance – Assessing board performance, strategic direction, risk appetite and governance structures to promote effective oversight, transparency and sustainability.

2. Safer Gambling Approach – Reviewing how safer gambling principles are embedded within organisational strategies, fostering a culture prioritising player protection and harm prevention.

3. AML/CTF Policies and Procedures – Conducting thorough evaluations of AML/CTF policies to ensure compliance and cultivate a culture resistant to financial crime.

4. Compliance with Codes of Practice – Enhancing compliance culture and leadership, demonstrating adherence to regulatory expectations and reinforcing social licence.

5. Assurance and Implementation – Going beyond policy review to test practical implementation and culture through observations and targeted sampling.

6. Training and Development – Emphasising the importance of continuous learning to empower staff, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet regulatory and operational challenges.

7. Compliance Culture – Promoting a transparent, ethically driven environment where compliance is embedded in decision-making and leadership behaviour.

8. Advertising, Marketing and Promotions – Ensuring responsible advertising practices that protect vulnerable groups and sustain public trust.

These pillars guide the accreditation process and reflect Vanguard Overwatch’s broader mission: to bolster ethical leadership, instil a proactive compliance culture and support continuous innovation within the industry. This approach allows gaming venues and wagering operators to strengthen their practices, align with the highest standards and confidently navigate an evolving regulatory environment while underscoring sector innovation and sustainability.

To complement its comprehensive accreditation framework, Vanguard Overwatch offers Reconnaissance, a preliminary health check service that provides a quick, high-level assessment of an organisation’s AML and responsible gambling arrangements. This service offers an authoritative snapshot that identifies the current state of compliance, pinpointing potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for improvement and remediation.

Another standout offering is Steward, a customisable service bundle tailored to provide specialised support to meet the specific needs of each organisation. This flexible solution includes priority regulatory advice and guidance, support for leadership teams and can be scaled up to provide comprehensive, turn-key solutions that cover strategic planning, compliance innovation and contributions to public policy and industry initiatives. By adapting to an organisation’s requirements, Steward empowers businesses to maintain robust compliance frameworks, drive continuous improvement and stay ahead in an ever-changing regulatory landscape.

With these added services, Vanguard Overwatch underscores its commitment to empowering gaming and wagering operators through preliminary and comprehensive assessments, targeted guidance and continuous support, ensuring they not only navigate but thrive amid regulatory challenges.

Paul Newson’s vision for Vanguard Overwatch extends beyond meeting existing regulations; it sets a benchmark for excellence that builds trust and promotes industry sustainability. Through rigorous assurance and ongoing evaluations, Vanguard Overwatch enables organisations to enhance their operations, protect their reputations and demonstrate leadership in responsible gambling and compliance.

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Australia

Light & Wonder Signs Multi-year Systems Deal with SkyCity Entertainment

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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.

“Light & Wonder is committed to delivering innovative technology that drives our customers’ success while fostering a responsible gaming environment. Our solutions are designed to enhance the player experience and boost operational efficiency, and we’re proud that L&W Engage supports initiatives that help our customers thrive responsibly,” said Jon Wolfe, President of Global Systems and Services at Light & Wonder.

“SkyCity 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,” said Judd Hallas, Group Manager Product Performance & Analysis, SkyCity.

Additionally, SkyCity will be upgrading their entire casino floors using L&W’s 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.

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