Connect with us
vgccc-orders-ban-on-betting-on-minors-in-sport-events vgccc-orders-ban-on-betting-on-minors-in-sport-events

Australia

VGCCC Orders Ban on Betting on Minors in Sport Events

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) will ban betting on all under 19 sports competitions, and any betting on the performance of individual players who are under 18 in junior and senior sport.

In letters sent last week to the bodies controlling all major sports and to sports betting providers, the VGCCC states it has “determined that permitting betting on minors is contrary to the public interest and poses potential integrity and gambling related harm concerns”.

These concerns include the susceptibility of minors to approaches seeking to undermine the integrity of a sporting event and normalising gambling on events involving children.

The ban prohibits offering bets on:

  • sporting events where all participants are minors
  • sporting events for under-19s
  • open events where minors are playing, meaning a bet can be placed on the open event “team” but not on particular outcomes for players in the team who are under 18 years old.

The ban includes offering bets on outcomes such as “first goal of the game”, “most disposals” or “first player to take a wicket”, where individual players are minors. Bets can still be made on team outcomes in senior sports when minors may be playing.

Sports controlling bodies — sporting organisations that control, regulate and are approved by VGCCC to oversee betting on their sport — have been directed to vary their agreements with betting providers to ensure that they prohibit the offering of markets involving minors.

The VGCCC is also instituting the same ban for any other sports that are not governed by an approved sports controlling body.

Bodies controlling all major sports and betting providers will have 60 days to comply with the new requirements, after which it will be an offence to allow bets on games and outcomes relating to individual players in a team or participating in the sports betting event who are under 18.

VGCCC chair Fran Thorn said: “The idea that it is okay to bet on minors just doesn’t stand up. We think minors deserve to be protected. It also raises integrity issues, with the prospect of people attempting to influence how minors might behave playing sport.

“If sports controlling bodies and betting providers do not comply with this decision we will take action, which may include revoking our approval of sports controlling bodies and prosecuting betting providers.”

The letters state: “The VGCCC is of the view that betting on contingencies in sporting events relating to the performance of an individual minor in that sporting event is contrary to the public interest.”

“It will, therefore, be prohibited to offer bets on an outcome such as ‘first goal of the game’, ‘most disposals’ or ‘first player to take a wicket’, where the outcome relates to an individual player that is a minor. For the avoidance of doubt, bets will still be able to be offered on the open team performance,” Ms Thorn said.

Australia

Entain’s Andrew Vouris to Speak at Regulating the Game 2026

Published

on

entain’s-andrew-vouris-to-speak-at-regulating-the-game-2026
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Leading gaming law and regulation conference Regulating the Game has announced the newly appointed CEO of Entain Australia and New Zealand as its first Featured Speaker for its March 2026 event in Sydney.

The conference is scheduled to take place from 9 to 11 March 2026 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.

Andrew Vouris, who was appointed CEO of Entain Australia and New Zealand in August, brings almost two decades of leadership experience in wagering, operations and innovation at some of Australia’s largest wagering operators.

His career spans senior leadership roles in Tabcorp’s multi-billion dollar wagering and media business, heading global operations of a pioneering esports and wagering platform, and partnering with private equity to build early-stage ventures in esports. Across these roles he has been deeply engaged in navigating complex regulatory and compliance challenges.

Since stepping into the CEO role at Entain Australia and New Zealand, Vouris has outlined his desire to embed a culture of “win, but not at all costs”, to return to the basics of selling bets and to lead innovation while ensuring customers are protected.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to speak at Regulating the Game 2026, which provides a unique global platform for advancing dialogue between regulators, industry and thought leaders,” Vouris said.

“At a time when public expectations and regulatory demands are at an all-time high, I look forward to sharing Entain’s vision for balancing sustainable growth, compliance leadership, and customer protection.”

Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, added: “Andrew’s leadership vision for Entain and his extensive track record across wagering and esports bring an important perspective to Regulating the Game 2026. His focus on culture, compliance and innovation aligns strongly with the values of the conference, and we are thrilled to feature his insights as part of this year’s program.”

The post Entain’s Andrew Vouris to Speak at Regulating the Game 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Australia

AUSTRAC Intelligence Helps Crack Gold Laundering Case Linked to Gambling

Published

on

austrac-intelligence-helps-crack-gold-laundering-case-linked-to-gambling
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

AUSTRAC intelligence sparked an investigation that helped the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) to uncover a NSW police officer who sold more than $1.3 million in family gold bars to fund a gambling addiction.

The officer was found by the LECC to have engaged in serious misconduct after taking 12 gold bars, weighing 50 ounces each that belonged to his uncle and was stored underneath his mother’s house.

He falsified know your customer forms to sell the bullion to 2 dealers, claiming the gold was a birthday gift or inheritance and then he used the proceeds on sports betting apps and later admitted to the false information stating he “needed the money”.

AUSTRAC first raised the alarm by flagging transactions, including significant gold sales to a bullion dealer with reported money laundering links.

Operation Dartmoor was launched and uncovered the full extent of misconduct.

The officer resigned from the NSW Police Force and has been referred to the Department of Public Prosecutions.

AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said the case highlights the risks facing the bullion sector.

“Gambling harm doesn’t just drain bank accounts, it can drive desperate people into crime,” Mr Thomas said.

“When gambling turns to addiction, people often look for fast money and that can mean stealing, fraud or money laundering.

“Bullion is portable, valuable and attractive to people wanting to use it illegitimately.

“If you trade in bullion, you are part of the front line in stopping its exploitation.

“Your AML/CTF controls are the difference between being a trusted dealer or a weak link for crime.

“Every transaction is a potential red flag – it’s your responsibility to look twice, and if needed, report it.”

The post AUSTRAC Intelligence Helps Crack Gold Laundering Case Linked to Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Australia

Mindway AI and Crown Resorts Partner to Launch Revolutionary Player Protection

Published

on

mindway-ai-and-crown-resorts-partner-to-launch-revolutionary-player-protection
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Mindway AI, a leader in player protection solutions for the gaming industry, is pleased to announce a partnership with Crown Resorts to introduce GameScanner to their Australian operations. This partnership marks the largest global implementation of Mindway’s technology in a physical setting and is the first land-based application in Australia, setting a new industry standard and aligning with Crown’s commitment to safe and sustainable gaming.

GameScanner is an award-winning AI solution, trained by gambling harm experts, researchers, and psychologists, to better enable effective checks, with a focus on player well-being and preventative measures. GameScanner’s highly advanced technology enables operators to understand the risk distribution among their guests, allowing these risks to be identified and addressed to enhance player protection.

“The introduction of this technology at Crown is yet another example of our commitment to continuous safety improvements and harm minimisation,” said Dr Jamie Wiebe, Group EGM of Crown PlaySafe. “This will greatly assist in identifying risks and preventing harms from occurring in the first place, which is a major focus for us at Crown. In collaboration with our Crown PlaySafe initiatives, technology plays a critical role in helping us provide a safe environment and uphold our industry-leading standards for our guests.”

This partnership marks a new era for the growing Mindway AI, as the company expands its application of AI solutions into land-based settings. GameScanner currently engages with just over 12.8 million active players in 64 global jurisdictions each month.

“We are thrilled to partner with Crown Resorts in this significant initiative,” said Rasmus Kjaergaard CEO at Mindway AI. “Our shared vision for player welfare is the foundation of this collaboration. Our move into land-based applications signifies a significant milestone for Mindway AI. With GameScanner, we are reinforcing our commitment to player welfare across all gaming platforms, creating an environment where care and safety are paramount.”

The implementation of GameScanner marks a pivotal enhancement to Crown Resorts’ harm minimisation framework and reiterates the company’s dedication to industry-leading standards.

The post Mindway AI and Crown Resorts Partner to Launch Revolutionary Player Protection appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending