Australia
Gambling Reform Advocate, Tim Costello clears his perspective on retaining Poker machines in Tasmania
Clearing his perspective on retaining the poker machines in Tasmania, The National Pokies Reform Advocate, Tim Costello, who was in the state on Wednesday affirmed, it is like: “Saying let’s put ice or cocaine in pubs and clubs, but give people the freedom to choose whether they use it”.
The Alliance for Gambling Reforms Director said the industry’s claim that removing poker machines would put 5000 jobs at risk was “scaremongering”.
He added: “Fear works, but it’s completely untrue.” “Pokies destroy jobs, they are designed for addiction. Sure you have got to be individually responsible, but it’s the machine that’s built for addiction. It’s like saying let’s put ice in pubs and tax it and say we’ve got the freedom to choose ice or cocaine, it’s highly addictive.”
He described the pokies conversation as being equivalent to that of the gun control debate in the United States.
“It’s got this parallel … the second amendment when it was written in America referred to muskets. Pokies, when they came here, were coin operated and you couldn’t do much damage, now they’re digital and you can load up $7500. So like the musket has now changed to semi-automatic, but with the same rights to freedom, the pokies have gone from coin-operated to massive, quick damage and you have this ‘nanny state, don’t interrupt our freedom’ argument.”
This state is about to set a course, not for the next few years, but for decades to come.
Previously working as a lawyer, he said his passion for pokies reform developed when he represented a woman who lost her business and whose marriage failed after she stole $60,000 to “feed her pokies addiction”.
“She got four years in jail for that theft,” he said.
“She didn’t drink or smoke and I said ‘how does a law-abiding person become a criminal, how does this happen?’ and the answer was ‘the addiction of pokies’. That really snapped me, I thought what are these machines?”
Tasmania would become the first state in Australia to remove the machines if Labor’s plan goes ahead.
Australia
ACMA Reveals Illegal Gambling Crackdown Results
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) revealed the outcome of a crackdown on illegal online gambling services operating around the time of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The report published shows that 200 offshore services were reviewed in the lead-up to and during the event. Of those services, 21 were investigated as they appeared to be directly targeting Australians. As a result, 18 services were found to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Following notification of the ACMA’s findings, three of those services withdrew from the Australian market, while the remaining 15 services had their websites blocked by internet service providers at the request of the ACMA.
ACMA authority member and online gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood said the sites were unlicensed to provide wagering services in Australia and in some cases also offered interactive gambling services such as online casinos and slots or online in-play betting, which are all banned in Australia.
“Illegal gambling operations often take advantage of high-profile sporting events to push their services onto fans. These sites also offer none of the consumer protections that apply to licensed wagering services in Australia. Using these sites is more than a gamble as you have no rights and even if you win, you may never see the money,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
Since 2019, the ACMA has been asking internet service providers to block gambling websites found to be operating in breach of Australian interactive gambling laws. Over that time, more than 900 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.
More than 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing illegal offshore gambling rules.
Minimising gambling harm is a current ACMA compliance priority and Australians can check on the ACMA’s online register to see if a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia.
More information about online gambling is available on the ACMA’s website, including information on how to protect yourself from illegal gambling operators and instructions on how to make a complaint about an illegal site.
Australia
SkyCity Appoints Jason Walbridge as Chief Executive Officer
SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited has appointed Jason Walbridge as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Jason has more than two decades of senior executive public company experience in the global land-based and online gaming industries. He is currently a Strategic Advisor to global gaming and technology company Aristocrat Leisure Limited on its proposed acquisition of NeoGames S.A, and Executive Chairman of National Entertainment Network LLC, the largest amusement route operator in the US. He has been appointed to the role after an extensive international search.
SkyCity Board Chair Julian Cook said: “The Board is delighted to announce Jason’s appointment as CEO of SkyCity, and we are looking forward to the valuable contribution Jason will make to the business. Jason has extensive global experience in the land-based and online gaming industries, which will position him well to lead SkyCity through its next phases.”
Mr Walbridge said: “It will be a privilege to lead SkyCity, and I am excited to be joining the business at this time as SkyCity looks to pursue the many opportunities ahead of it.”
Mr Walbridge is expected to start in early July 2024, following his move back to New Zealand.
Prior to his current roles, Mr Walbridge held roles with the online gaming supplier NYX Gaming Group Limited and its acquirer Light & Wonder Inc, and before that he spent 18 years with Aristocrat Leisure Limited where he held executive leadership roles in New Zealand and the US. Previously, he held senior roles within consulting, including with Ernst & Young, and was an Officer in the New Zealand Defence Force. Mr Walbridge holds an MBA in International Management from the Auckland Institute of Studies.
Mr Cook confirmed that Callum Mallett will continue as Interim Chief Executive Officer until Mr Walbridge’s commencement date.
“I’d like to thank Callum for his continued leadership and his support during this period,” Mr Cook said.
Australia
VGCCC Fines BlueBet AU$50,000 for Gambling Advertising Breaches
BlueBet has been fined AU$50,000 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for breaching gambling advertising regulations.
The company was found guilty of 43 charges related to displaying gambling advertisements on or above public roads, contravening the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.
The charges stemmed from an investigation initiated by VGCCC, following a complaint from a member of the public. The breaches occurred over a two-week period in August and September 2022, with BlueBet’s gambling advertisements appearing on digital billboards at various locations, including Point Cook, Laverton, Rockbank and Ravenhall.
Magistrate Greg Thomas, overseeing the case, expressed scepticism about BlueBet’s defence that it was unaware of the breaches, given the strategic placement of the billboards to target males aged 15-54 years old. While no conviction was recorded, Magistrate Thomas noted the high degree of negligence exhibited by BlueBet.
VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM said: “Gambling advertising has no place on public roads where it is readily visible to children and other vulnerable groups. These places are especially difficult to avoid as part of day-to-day activities. This decision sends a clear message to wagering providers that flout these protections for our community.”
Although Magistrate Thomas considered imposing a higher fine and recording a conviction, he took into account BlueBet’s guilty plea, cooperation with VGCCC and measures taken to prevent future breaches. BlueBet has implemented changes to prevent similar incidents and has cooperated with VGCCC throughout the process.
-
Industry News7 days ago
-
Industry News6 days ago
Leading online slot developer announces launch of Snoop’s High Rollers which will go live exclusively with popular crypto sportsbook and casino
-
Australia6 days ago
VGCCC Fines BlueBet AU$50,000 for Gambling Advertising Breaches
-
Latest News7 days ago
OpenBet Powers Record-Breaking 100,000+ Peak Bets per Minute at Grand National 2024
-
Latest News6 days ago
Booming Games Establishes Strategic Partnership with Danske Spil
-
Industry News6 days ago
IDnow Bridges the AI-human Divide with New Expert-led Video Verification Solution
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
MGA: Updated Non-Profit Tombola and Lottery Application Requirements
-
Latest News4 days ago
Evoplay strikes distribution agreement with Light & Wonder