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Compliance Updates

L&GNSW: Hotel Licensee Hit with Hefty Fine for Allowing After-hours Gambling

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The licensee of a Homebush West hotel has been fined a total of $28,400 following a Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) investigation that uncovered serious breaches of gaming machine laws.

A Downing Centre Local Court magistrate convicted and fined the licensee of Markets Hotel on Tuesday, 8 April for allowing patrons to play gaming machines outside approved hours over three consecutive weekends in July 2023.

L&GNSW Acting Executive Director of Regulatory Operations Bernadette Beard said the fine sends a strong message that such violations will not be tolerated.

“This venue allowed 29 gaming machines to be operated between 3am and 6am on Saturday and Sunday mornings, breaching the shutdown rules,” Ms Beard said.

“These restrictions are in place to reduce the risks of gambling harm by limiting the time patrons can spend playing gaming machines. Ignoring these laws is not just irresponsible, it’s illegal.”

Under the Gaming Machines Act 2001 (NSW), venues cannot allow patrons to use gaming machines during designated shutdown periods.

L&GNSW conducts regular compliance checks to ensure that pubs and clubs adhere to regulations regarding gaming machine shutdown periods.

In November 2024, inspectors visited 138 venues across 61 local government areas in both metropolitan and regional NSW. The operation resulted in one penalty notice and three official cautions being issued to non-compliant venues.

With more inspections planned for the coming months, L&GNSW is committed to holding venues accountable and minimising gambling harm.

The post L&GNSW: Hotel Licensee Hit with Hefty Fine for Allowing After-hours Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia

New Bill in California Could End Online Sweepstakes Gaming

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California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 831 to protect Californians from unregulated online gambling by prohibiting online sweepstakes games that use a “dual currency” model to mimic casino-style wagering.

“Sweepstakes” platforms sell virtual coins that are used to play casino-style games and can be redeemed for cash or prizes, essentially operating as unlicensed gambling businesses. By exploiting “No Purchase Necessary” disclaimers, they sidestep California’s regulatory framework and evade the state’s voter-approved proposition related to Tribal-State gaming. Many of these “sweepstakes” operators are based offshore and function without proper oversight, avoiding requirements like consumer protections, responsible gaming safeguards, background checks, and tax compliance.

“We cannot look the other way while these platforms exploit legal grey areas. These operations undermine the voter-approved framework that affirms Tribal governments’ sovereign right to conduct gaming in California. AB 831 strengthens that framework and ensures gaming in California remains fair and accountable,” said Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.

AB 831 fortifies existing sweepstakes laws and clarifies the illegality of internet-based sweepstakes that use the dual currency model. It reinforces the shared responsibility between the State, licensed operators, and Native Nations to keep gaming safe, transparent, and accountable. AB 831 is co-sponsored by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN), reflecting strong support from across Indian Country.

“For over 25 years, Tribal governments like Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, have upheld the will of California voters by operating gaming with integrity. That commitment has allowed us to reinvest in our communities, boost local economies, and support essential public services on reservations and in partnerships across the state. Illegal online gaming now threatens this foundation—compromising voter-approved law and putting Californians at risk,” said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.

“We support this legislation that will close dangerous loopholes and strengthen the integrity of California’s gaming system. We remain committed to defending a proven framework that protects the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and delivers real and lasting benefits to all Californians. Together, Tribal governments and the State of California will continue to address and take decisive action against illegal internet gaming in all its forms,” said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez, Jr.

“Tribal government gaming contributes nearly $25 billion to California’s economy, sustains over 112,000 jobs, and funds critical community programs. Unregulated online sweepstakes threaten this voter-approved system by imitating casino gaming without oversight, accountability, or community investment. These illegal platforms erase the benefits of regulated gaming while exposing consumers to serious risks,” said CNIGA Chairman James Siva.

AB 831 is pending a hearing in the Senate.

The post New Bill in California Could End Online Sweepstakes Gaming appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

New Initiative from DI Council Aims to Enable Betting on Professional Sports

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The Division I Council introduced a proposal that, if adopted in October, would change sports betting rules to permit student-athletes and staff members to bet on professional sports and refocus the Association’s enforcement efforts on college sports betting and behaviors that directly impact game integrity. If adopted, the change will be implemented only if Divisions II and III also vote to allow betting on pro sports.

The council’s introduction of the proposal, which comes after a directive from the Division I Board of Directors in April that the council adopt changes to sports betting rules, is not an endorsement of sports betting behaviors, especially for college athletes. The NCAA’s prohibition against betting on college sports would remain in place, as would the prohibitions against sharing information about college events with bettors. The NCAA also would continue to maintain its prohibition for NCAA championships  against advertising and sponsorships associated with betting.

“NCAA rules prohibiting sports betting at all levels were written and adopted at a time when sports gambling was largely illegal nationwide,” said Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the council. “As betting on sports has become more widely accepted across the country, Division I members have determined that further discussion of these sports betting rules is warranted, particularly as it relates to the potential distinctions between betting on professional versus collegiate sports. Throughout our discussions, the council has remained focused on student-athlete wellness and educating student-athletes about the risks and potentially harmful impacts of betting.”

Current NCAA rules do not allow student-athletes or institutional staff to engage in sports betting at any level (professional, college or amateur) for any sports that have NCAA championships, and NCAA members have continually maintained that any betting by a student-athlete on his or her own team or own sport in college should continue to result in a permanent loss of any remaining collegiate eligibility. However, in 2023, Division I changed the reinstatement guidelines for student-athletes who participate in sports betting on professional sports to focus on harm reduction for problematic betting behaviors.

“Deregulating professional sports betting may provide schools an additional opportunity to implement harm-reduction strategies, which can be more effective and have long-term benefits not seen with abstinence-only approaches. Harm-reduction strategies include education, stigma reduction and acknowledging actual behaviors,” said Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer. “By meeting student-athletes where they are, schools may be more effective at preventing, identifying and supporting student-athletes with problematic gambling behaviors. Regardless of the change, schools are encouraged to use the many sports betting resources already available.”

The recently released Harm Reduction Considerations for Gambling & Sports Betting in Collegiate Sports references available sports betting resources, including the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices. Additionally, more than 100,000 student-athletes, coaches and administrators have been reached through the NCAA’s education efforts with EPIC Global Solutions, and the NCAA has launched an e-learning module to educate student-athletes on problem gambling harms and the integrity risks associated with sports betting.

Several sports betting-related violations by staff members at NCAA schools have been resolved through the infractions process in recent years, and the enforcement staff is working on issuing Notices of Allegations in several ongoing cases that involve allegations of betting on professional and college sports by student-athletes and/or athletics department staff members at a handful of NCAA schools.

The proposed rule change would not be retroactive. If it is adopted, it would apply only to sports betting activities that occur after the effective date of the proposal.

“The enforcement staff’s sports betting-related caseload has significantly increased in recent years, and our staff — including our new sports betting integrity unit — has been effective in detecting and pursuing violations,” said Jon Duncan, NCAA vice president of enforcement.

The Association prioritizes competition integrity, which is vital to college sports. The NCAA uses a layered strategy to respond responsibly to the rise in sports betting across the United States by monitoring over 22,000 contests per year, advocating for limits on  prop bets that pose heightened risks, reducing the potential for student-athlete abuse by aggrieved bettors, and creating greater transparency to assist with the timely investigation and resolution of integrity-related issues.

This layered approach includes the most recent agreement extension with Genius Sports to establish unprecedented betting restrictions on high-risk proposition bets. Sportsbooks licensing NCAA championship data must cooperate fully with NCAA investigations, including providing access to account data, financial history and geolocation records. This will allow the NCAA to work with the sportsbooks to gather detailed account information when harassers are identified to prevent repeat offenders from continuing to place bets across platforms, increasing safeguards to protect student-athlete mental health and well-being.

The post New Initiative from DI Council Aims to Enable Betting on Professional Sports appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

Nick Rust to Step Down as Chair of UKGC’s Industry Forum

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Nick Rust has announced that he will be stepping down as Chair of the UK Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) Industry Forum when his agreed two-year term comes to an end in November.

Nick has been instrumental in the creation and development of the Forum, working closely with the Commission to ensure that the voices and expertise of industry stakeholders are heard and reflected in its work. His leadership has helped establish the Forum as a vital part of the Commission’s wider engagement and governance structure.

Nick said: “It’s been a privilege to Chair the Industry Forum and help the Commission’s Executives and Board to gain insights on policy and operational performance from an industry perspective. I’m pleased with the work the Forum has delivered and believe it has helped the Commission better understand the implications of its existing and planned policies for consumers and industry operators.

“I’d like to thank my fellow Forum members for their work and also the Gambling Commission team who support the Forum. I look forward to seeing how the Industry Forum continues to support the Commission to achieve its regulatory aims.”

Helen Child, Head of Governance at UKGC, said: “Nick has been instrumental in the creation of the Forum, helping to develop and embed it into the Commission’s expert groups. I have very much enjoyed working with him as we established the Forum, and I would like to thank Nick for his hard work in getting the group to this point. We wish him well for the future.”

Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of UKGC, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with both Nick and the Forum over the last two years. Nick has been such a valuable sounding board, a constant fount of knowledge and insight and a great support to me personally.”

“A new Chair will be appointed in due course, with further updates to follow. We are grateful to Nick for his significant contribution and continued support during the transition,” the Commission said.

The post Nick Rust to Step Down as Chair of UKGC’s Industry Forum appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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