

Australia
REGULATOR WARNS HIGHER FINES ON THE CARDS FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING ADS
Online betting operators have been issued with more than $100,000 in fines over the past week as Liquor & Gaming NSW continues to take a zero-tolerance approach to the publication of illegal gambling inducements.
Most recently, online betting provider BetDeluxe has been fined $70,000 for publishing illegal gambling inducements after being prosecuted by Liquor & Gaming NSW.
This follows the successful prosecution of PointsBet, which was fined a total of $35,000 for publishing illegal gambling inducements last week, after receiving a $20,000 fine for the same offences in 2019.
Hospitality and Racing CEO, Anthony Keon said Liquor & Gaming NSW was continuing to pro-actively monitor online betting providers and it was completely unacceptable that seven bookmakers have been prosecuted on multiple occasions since 2018.
“Liquor & Gaming NSW will continue to actively pursue operators for illegal advertisements and advocate for the courts to issue higher penalties,” Mr Keon said.
“In 2018 the NSW Government introduced new laws to significantly increase penalties for wagering operators who are found guilty of promoting inducements to gamble, with maximum fines now set at $110,000 per offence for a corporation.
“Clearly some of these operators think gambling inducements are just the cost of doing business, but they are wrong, and they are pushing their luck. We will continue to bring these matters before the courts and seek higher penalties that reflect community expectations.”
In Downing Centre Local Court yesterday (18/5), BetDeluxe pleaded guilty to five offences that included 21 Facebook promotions for bonus bets on sports games and enhanced odds on horse racing.
In addition to the $70,000 in fines, BetDeluxe has also been ordered to pay $8,500 in legal costs. This is the first time the company has been prosecuted for this type of offence.
PointsBet pleaded guilty to two advertisements that included an Instagram promotion to get $50 back in bonus bets, similar to those it offered in 2019 on the Apple App Store, promising $100 cash back on certain bets.
“Prohibitions on gambling inducements are an important harm minimisation measure and the increase in maximum penalties, along with our continued prosecution action, should send a clear message to wagering operators about how seriously we view these matters,” Mr Keon said.
“Reoffenders run the risk of the higher range penalties, and more scrutiny, so let me be clear that patterns of poor compliance are not worth the trouble.
“We hope this is the first and last time we see BetDeluxe in court for gambling inducements.”
Since 2015, Liquor & Gaming NSW has successfully prosecuted 37 matters for prohibited gambling advertising, resulting in over $642,500 in fines, with nine betting providers currently before the courts.
Australia
AUSTRAC Intelligence Helps Crack Gold Laundering Case Linked to Gambling

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.
Australia
Mindway AI and Crown Resorts Partner to Launch Revolutionary Player Protection

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.
Australia
VGCCC Imposes $80,000 Fine on Online Bookmaker QuestBet

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined online bookmaker QuestBet $80,000 for continuing to accept bets from a customer displaying observable signs of gambling-related distress.
Announcing the fine, VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan said QuestBet’s non-compliance with its gambling harm minimisation obligations was indicative of a concerning culture.
“Our investigation of QuestBet’s practices found the bookmaker failed to have in place adequate systems to protect individuals identifiably at risk of gambling harm,” Ms Neilan said.
“Minimising gambling harm is an obligation every operator holds – including bookmakers – who must monitor customer wellbeing and intervene if they observe signs of distress.
“This substantial penalty demonstrates the seriousness of the bookmaker’s failure to meet its legal and moral obligations.”
The VGCCC investigation was prompted by a complaint from a customer who claimed QuestBet had allowed them to continue betting – and losing – a significant sum of money in a matter of weeks, without intervention.
“We found that between April and June 2023, the customer contacted QuestBet more than 20 times to request additional credits and bonus bets. On 6 occasions, they mentioned having experienced several large losses.
“This was a clear sign that the customer was struggling. A sign that QuestBet chose to ignore, instead encouraging and enabling the customer to keep gambling with the aid of bonus bets in 5 of the 6 occasions.
“Consequently, the customer lost about $15,000 over two months,” Ms Neilan said.
Staff of gambling operators must provide assistance to customers facing negative consequences from their gambling. There is a range of tools and resources staff might suggest to customers in this situation to assist them to, for example, set and track time and money limits, take a break, self-exclude or access help services.
“QuestBet suggested none of these, thereby breaching the Victorian Bookmakers’ Association Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct and causing further distress to the customer.
“Nor did the bookmaker formally respond to our request for an explanation for its lack of care or a reason not to be sanctioned, despite requesting, and being granted, several extensions to do so,” Ms Neilan said.
The post VGCCC Imposes $80,000 Fine on Online Bookmaker QuestBet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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