Australia
Lottoland banned from selling bets on Australian lotteries
After months of campaigning from state lotteries and newsagent groups, the Northern Territory Government has stepped in and banned Lottoland from selling bets on Australian lotteries.
As Lottoland operates in Australia via a licence issued by the Northern Territory, the decision means it will no longer be able to take bets on Australian lotteries anywhere in the country – similar to the system in the UK where it cannot accept bets on National Lottery products.
Prior to the Northern Territory’s announcement, governments in New South Wales, Tasmania and West Australia had publicly stated their intention to ban synthetic lotteries in their states. In South Australia legislation already prohibits bets on lotteries.
The ban comes in response to a major campaign led by the Tatts Group and the Australian Lottery and Newsagent Association (ALNA) to ban synthetic lotteries.
The decision comes just a week after Lottoland launched a marketing drive to attract Aussie punters to its Melbourne Cup jackpot of A$100m, which far eclipsed the A$30m on offer with the underlying Oz Lotto draw.
Luke Brill, chief executive of Lottoland Australia, said that the firm would now focus all of its efforts in Australia on bets on overseas lotteries.
“Lottoland Australia is disappointed, but we respect this decision and we will work with the Northern Territory Government to implement the necessary changes to our business,” Brill said in a statement.
“We offer value and choice through innovation to more than 650,000 Australians and, importantly, there are no restrictions on our international products, meaning our customers can continue to bet on the outcome of overseas lotteries.
“Overseas lotteries are the preferred betting option amongst our customers as they offer larger jackpots.
“From day one, Lottoland has strived to grow the market through our international offering; every bet placed on an international lottery is incremental revenue that state governments and newsagents can benefit from if they work with Lottoland.”
Brill said Lottoland was still interested in forging better relationships with governments and newsagents, and added that the offer to pay point-of-consumption tax is still on the table.
“We are still committed to working with newsagents so they can expand their service offering through our platform and counter the negative impact Tatts’ digital business is having on their revenues,” Brill said.
“Our offer to state governments on paying a point of consumption tax also stands.
“Now there is clarity from the Northern Territory Government on their position, we look forward to continuing to provide Australian customers an innovative service they value.”
Adam Joy, chief executive of ALNA, said the initial ban is a “positive move”, but is still keen for the Federal Government to go further and legislate against any form of betting on synthetic lotteries in Australia.
Joy told the Herald Sun newspaper: “Consumers will still be bombarded with potentially misleading advertisements for these risky betting products that are lacking certainty around payout figures.
“And they will still be lured into profiting a highly unethical business, including at the expense of news and lottery agents.”
Australia
BetMakers and SIS Sign Data and Content Agreement
BetMakers Technology Group has announced that it has signed a new racing data and content distribution agreement with Sports Information Services Limited (SIS).
Under the agreement, BetMakers will deliver SIS race data and video content to approved SIS customers and affiliates in Australia and New Zealand via integration with BetMakers’ bookmaker technology platforms, including websites, mobile apps and pricing applications.
The agreement will give BetMakers’ bookmaker clients in the region who also use SIS data and audio-visual services access to video and data for horse racing from the UK and Europe, the Middle East and the Americas and to greyhound racing from the UK and Ireland.
BetMakers CEO Jake Henson said: “We are pleased to extend our longstanding working relationship with SIS to deliver content and data services to BetMakers’ bookmaker solution clients in Australia and New Zealand. Close integration with partners like SIS allows BetMakers to offer our End-to-End Platform, Embedded Solution and API clients the racing and betting content they demand and to ensure that our solutions continue to deliver the broadest suite of global racing products to heighten player engagement.”
SIS MD, EMEA, Paul Witten, said: “Australia is one of the largest international racing wagering markets and our partnership with BetMakers enables SIS customers to receive a tailored product that suits their local market needs. We are pleased to assist our racetrack partners in ensuring broad distribution continues and look forward to working with BetMakers over the course of the agreement to deliver growth for those partners.”
Australia
Dr Marla Royne Stafford Named First Conference Chair for 2025 Regulating the Game conference in Sydney
Leading gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game, to be held from 10 to 13 March 2025 in Sydney, has announced Dr Marla Royne Stafford as its first Conference Chair for the event.
Chairing a day of the conference provides an opportunity for industry professionals and regulators to offer unique insights and perspectives, steward the conversation to highlight critical points and stimulate an exchange of ideas and discussions.
Dr Stafford is Professor of Marketing in the Lee Business School at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She is also a Faculty Scholar with the UNLV International Gaming Institute, Director of Research for the Cannabis Policy Institute and past Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Harrah College of Hospitality.
She is a past William F. Harrah Distinguished Chair, a member of the Board of Advisors for the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and is currently serving as a guest editor for an upcoming special issue of the UNLV Gaming Research and Review Journal. She is an expert in the responsible gambling arena and her work includes projects with the American Gaming Association and AMZC Limited.
“I am deeply honored and excited to serve in this leadership role at the 2025 Regulating the Game Conference. The Conference is one of the premier annual events in the gaming world, featuring thought leaders and stimulating important discussions in a fast-moving industry. It is truly a privilege to be part of the organizing committee and help advance the needed conversations in policy, regulation, leadership, ethics and the future of the industry,” Dr Stafford said.
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: “The fact that we are attracting such distinguished figures to Chair a day of Regulating the Game is a clear testament to the conference’s expanding influence and significance in the industry. It’s an exciting time as we continue to bring together the brightest minds to shape the future of gambling regulation.”
Regulating the Game is looking for more candidates to Chair in 2025, specifically seasoned professionals with experience in the gambling sector and regulation, compliance, policy or related fields. The event provides regulators, industry executive or thought leaders this the chance to make a significant impact at one of the industry’s most influential events.
Australia
Regulating the Game Confirms First Two Speakers of Masterclass Series
The organisers of the Regulating the Game conference that will be held in Sydney, Australia, from March 10 to 13 have announced the first two confirmed speakers for its 2025 Masterclass Series in Sydney.
Jay Robinson, chief stakeholder relations officer at Focal Research Consultants, will present a masterclass on “Beyond Compliance – Safer Gambling Training and Building a Culture of Customer Care.”
The organisers said: “Jay brings deep global experience in developing and implementing safer gambling strategies that go beyond mere compliance and underpin cogent industry voice and leadership.
“Jay’s session will focus on creating a culture of customer care, equipping participants with practical tools and insights to enhance player protection and responsible gambling practices. Flying in from Canada, Jay’s expertise is highly regarded globally, making this a must-attend session for anyone committed to advancing safer gambling initiatives.”
Jay Robinson said: “Great training is more than a compliance tick box: it sustains an arc of culture building housed in customer care. Effective gambling staff training transcends mere compliance and meets the real needs of both staff and customers.
“This masterclass delves into how industry leaders, regulators, and frontline staff across various jurisdictions can successfully build a culture of safer gambling. It emphasises the critical role of leadership in supporting and sustaining training initiatives.”
Ian Hughes, chief commercial officer at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and chief executive officer of GLI Australia, will lead a masterclass on “Technology Disruptors in the Gambling Sector.” This session will dive into emerging technologies within the gaming industry, exploring their potential benefits and risks.
Ian will cover critical innovations such as cashless systems, microservices, AI, and cloud-based solutions, and discuss their impact on responsible gaming, privacy, security, and AML/CTF compliance.
Both Jay Robinson and Ian Hughes are recognised experts in their fields, and their masterclasses will offer attendees unparalleled insights into the latest trends and best practices. These sessions are designed to deep dive into the topics, promote interaction and provide actionable insights to help participants navigate the rapidly evolving gambling regulatory landscape.
Paul Newson, principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: “We’re thrilled to continue the Masterclass Series at Regulating the Game 2025, featuring world-class experts like Jay Robinson and Ian Hughes.
“These sessions will provide hands-on learning and deep insights into key areas like safer gambling, customer care, and disruptive technologies. It’s an unparalleled opportunity for participants to engage with the latest trends and walk away with actionable strategies for uplifting capability and navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.”
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