Australia
Star Entertainment Announces Jobs Guarantee & Cashless Gaming Trial Agreements in NSW
The Star Entertainment Group Limited (The Star) announced that it has entered into binding documentation to give effect to the previously announced aspects of the arrangements agreed in principle with the NSW Treasurer, The Honourable Daniel Mookhey MLC, in connection with the revised duty arrangements in NSW, namely a jobs commitment and the cashless and carded play trial in respect of The Star Sydney casino.
NSW Jobs Guarantee
Consistent with the in-principle agreement first announced on 11 August 2023, The Star has entered into a Jobs Guarantee Agreement with the State of NSW and the United Workers Union whereby The Star has agreed to maintain a minimum headcount, and certain ratios of full-time, part-time and casual employees, in respect of The Star Sydney casino until 30 June 2030. The jobs commitment is subject to certain permitted adjustments in certain circumstances (including for force majeure and material adverse change events) following consultation with the NSW government and the United Workers Union.
Following amendments to the Casino Control Act 1992 (NSW) in December 2023, certain penalties can apply to The Star for failing to comply with the jobs commitment. A copy of the Jobs Guarantee Agreement must be tabled in NSW Parliament within 10 business days following entry into the agreement.
Cashless and Carded Play Trial
The Star has also entered into documentation to give effect to a formal trial of cashless and carded play at The Star Sydney casino.
The trial is a precursor to reforms to the NSW regulatory framework which will see cashless gaming and carded play introduced to NSW casinos from August 2024.
Subject to the receipt of final regulatory approvals, the trial will apply to 51 poker machines and 8 table games within the âSovereign Roomâ at The Star Sydney casino until the regulatory framework comes into effect.
The Starâs Group CEO and Managing Director, Robbie Cooke, said: âThe Star appreciates the constructive engagement with the current NSW Government that has led to finalisation of an agreement that provides employment certainty for our dedicated and hard-working team members in Sydney. As we continue to focus on earning back the trust of the community and implementing the reforms required to restore The Star to suitability, we are also committed to the continuation of our role as a valuable contributor to the NSW economy.â
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.
Australia
ALLIANCE PARTNERS TABCORP AND 1/ST CONTENT COMPLETE DEAL WITH THE JOCKEY CLUB OF TURKIYE TO DELIVER TURKISH RACING TO AUSTRALIA VIA SKY RACING
The Jockey Club of Turkiye (TĂŒrkiye Jokey KulĂŒbĂŒ, âTJKâ) has entered into a long-term agreement with Tabcorp, Australiaâs foremost wagering and entertainment company, and 1/ST CONTENT â a key division of 1/ST, the premier racing company in the Americas â to deliver domestic Turkish Racing to Australian fans via Sky Racing.
This breakthrough partnership will allow Tabcorp to distribute live domestic Turkish racing via its suite of market-leading Sky Racing channels in Australia for tote (pari-mutuel) and fixed-odds betting, thereby opening the gateway to broadcast more top-class and competitive Turkish racing to both wagering and non-wagering fans of the sport.
Tabcorpâs wagering arm, TAB, which has retail exclusivity across most of Australia, will be the first wagering operator to offer both vision and betting on racing from Turkey for its customers.
1/ST CONTENT, TJK, and B2E Racing Content, an Irish racing content company, have worked side-by-side to deliver on this opportunity to benefit racing fans worldwide. As TJKâs exclusive long-term partner, not only for international media and wagering distribution but also new pari-mutuel wagering types and fixed-odds technology, 1/ST CONTENTâs trading team and sister company 1/ST TECHNOLOGYâs overarching platform will facilitate the requisite betting architecture and pathways.
A fully-owned subsidiary of Tabcorp, Sky Racing imports and broadcasts over 72,000 international races per year. Now, all of Turkish racing, including highlights such as the world-renowned Gazi Derby, is available to Australian audiences alongside other feature global festivals like this week’s Breedersâ Cup World Championships, the US Triple Crown, the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot.
Paul Carew, Chief Operating Officer at Tabcorp, said:Â âThanks to our wider strategic alliance with 1/ST CONTENT, together with Arena Racing and Racecourse Media Group, Sky Racing continues to strengthen its position as Australiaâs passport to the best international racing, and this new deal eloquently demonstrates that point. Itâs a partnership that underlines our ongoing dedication to corralling more top-quality racing, this time from Turkey, a country boasting a rich history with thoroughbred racing. Anyone whoâs ever seen the Gazi Derby knows this is a nation that loves its horses, and it routinely produces thrilling action together with some breakout trainers and jockeys on the world stage.
âWeâd like to thank our good friends at both the TJK and 1/ST CONTENT for facilitating this delivery and integration in trademark seamless fashion. It is exciting for racing operators who are connected with our strategic alliance partners to start enjoying the benefits of our new co-operation.â
Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President International at 1/ST CONTENT, added: âThis agreement once again shows the power and flexibility that our recent strategic alliance has secured, with the localized expertise to benefit a host of new global clients. These complementary long-term partnerships are the bloodline for bringing a first-class international racing experience to new audiences.
âThis TJK deal also harnesses 1/STâs broader array of products and services, demonstrating how a growing cohesion between our varied international partners is helping to return value to the genuine stakeholders of the sport in any given jurisdiction.
âTabcorp naturally represent a strong and enduring collaboration for 1/ST CONTENT in the Australian market. Their distributional scope across digital and retail is second to none, while their local expertise is always a guiding hand for our delivery. We also look forward to further leveraging this relationship by delivering Turkish racing via Sky Channel to Tabcorpâs Asian customers in early 2025.â
Tuncel Aydın, Chief Executive Officer at TJK, commented: âTabcorpâs Sky Racing is all about expanding the variety of premium international racing, and weâre thrilled to have added our exclusive Turkish content to this all-encompassing gateway for the finest assemblage of worldwide racing.
âWe have already been impressed by the accuracy and reliability of 1/ST CONTENTâs betting technology and comprehensive international distribution, so they were our supplier of choice to enable this partnership which will drive growth and diversified revenues for our own domestic racing.â
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