Australia
VGCCC Fines Bookmaker MintBet $100,000 for Repeat Breaches of its Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined Victorian registered bookmaker MintBet $100,000 for repeated breaches of its Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct (Code) in relation to extended periods of gambling by a customer. The customer gambled through their online account with MintBet for 35 hours in a period of approximately 50 hours.
By the end of the customer’s betting period, they had placed 327 bets and lost $31,149.
The Commission found that MintBet did not stop accepting bets from the customer despite the customer displaying indicators of distress that may be related to problem gambling, as required by their Code.
MintBet closed the customer’s account only when the customer actively identified they were experiencing harm from their gambling.
The Commission also found that although MintBet had some systems in place to ensure vulnerable individuals do not experience a loss of control from their gambling, they were inadequate, also breaching a requirement of their Code.
In addition to issuing a fine, MintBet will be required to respond to the VGCCC about what improvements it will be making to its systems and processes. The VGCCC will consider MintBet’s response and determine whether further action might be necessary.
VGCCC Deputy CEO Scott May said: “Victorian gambling providers must comply with their responsible gambling codes of conduct. They exist to protect people from gambling harm. Even if accepting bets online, providers must monitor for and intervene when customers are displaying indicators of distress. Gambling for an extended period is a key indicator of distress that may indicate problem gambling. There are serious consequences for any gambling provider that fails to comply with their own responsible gambling code of conduct. We won’t tolerate it.”
The post VGCCC Fines Bookmaker MintBet $100,000 for Repeat Breaches of its Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
Kayo in Breach of Gambling Advertising Laws
![kayo-in-breach-of-gambling-advertising-laws](https://igamingradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/132595-kayo-in-breach-of-gambling-advertising-laws.jpg)
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found that sports streaming service Kayo, provided by Hubbl Pty Limited (Hubbl), breached gambling advertising rules by presenting gambling advertisements during live sports events outside allowed times.
The ACMA investigated Hubbl following complaints from viewers relating to live streams of a number of sporting events on Kayo. Gambling advertisements must not be shown by online content providers during live sport events between 5 am and 8.30 pm, including in the five minutes before and after the event.
The ACMA’s investigations identified 16 different gambling advertisements were provided outside the allowed times across a total of 267 live sport events. Hubbl said that this was caused by a system error that affected viewers using iOS applications in a six week period over February and March 2023.
ACMA Authority member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the scale of the error as well as Hubbl’s failure to identify a system bug affecting the playout of gambling ads across a large number of live sport events was very concerning.
“Online streaming services as well as broadcasters all have a responsibility to put robust systems in place so that they adhere to these long-standing gambling advertising rules,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
“The rules are there to reduce viewer exposure to gambling ads, particularly for impressionable young audiences and those vulnerable to gambling harms. In this case Hubbl has let those viewers down.”
The ACMA has issued Hubbl with a remedial direction requiring it to arrange an external audit of its technical systems and processes, including the measures that it has implemented subsequent to the breaches.
If Hubbl fails to comply with the terms of the remedial direction it may be ordered by the Federal Court to pay penalties of up to $626,000 per day.
The post Kayo in Breach of Gambling Advertising Laws appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
ACMA Blocks More Illegal Offshore Gambling Websites
![acma-blocks-more-illegal-offshore-gambling-websites](https://igamingradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/132455-acma-blocks-more-illegal-offshore-gambling-websites.jpg)
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested that Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block more illegal offshore gambling websites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites blocked include A Big Candy, Jackpoty and John Vegas Casino.
Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling. Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 995 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.
Over 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing new illegal offshore gambling rules in 2017.
The post ACMA Blocks More Illegal Offshore Gambling Websites appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
Tabcorp Appoints Gillon McLachlan as MD & CEO
![tabcorp-appoints-gillon-mclachlan-as-md-&-ceo](https://igamingradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/132299-tabcorp-appoints-gillon-mclachlan-as-md-ceo.jpg)
Australian gambling services firm Tabcorp Holdings has appointed former Australian Football League (AFL) boss Gillon McLachlan as its chief executive and managing director.
The appointment comes months after former chief Adam Rytenskild resigned over allegedly using “offensive” and “inappropriate” language at the workplace and as the firm navigates a strategic transformation amid heightened competition pressures.
McLachlan was the AFL chief executive for a decade during which he contributed to significant revenue growth and oversaw its expansion.
He will join Tabcorp on Aug. 5 and assume the roles of CEO and MD upon receiving regulatory approvals, the company said. He will receive an annual fixed remuneration of AU$ 1.5 million.
“In the two years since demerger, we have significantly improved our customer offering and delivered key structural reforms in Queensland and Victoria,” Tabcorp Executive Chairman Bruce Akhurst said.
“Gill brings an added dimension of having been responsible for some of the most significant media rights deals in Australian sports history and we’re excited about the potential growth opportunities for our wagering and media business under his leadership,” Bruce Akhurst added.
The post Tabcorp Appoints Gillon McLachlan as MD & CEO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
gaming2 years ago
ODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory7 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News6 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News5 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry6 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News5 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News6 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018