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Australia

Sportradar partners with Australia’s Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League (NBL) for Global Broadcast Rights and OTT

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Sportradar, the world-leading provider of sports data intelligence and sports entertainment solutions today announced a multi-year partnership with Australia’s Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League (NBL) to bring its Live broadcast to a wider audience as the international media (broadcast rights) distributor and OTT partner, starting from the upcoming NBL season due to commence in mid-January 2021.

Sportradar will work closely with the NBL to enhance distribution and coverage for its media rights across broadcast and online platforms, utilising its global network, unique combination of audiovisual technology and data expertise to deliver the best possible fan experience for global audiences, including basketball nations such as China, South East Asia, the US and Europe. As part of this partnership, Sportradar will also be powering the NBL’s OTT platform with plans to include NBL1 games on the relaunched platform for the first time.

In addition to the exclusive Global Broadcast Rights and OTT deal, Sportradar will also become an official integrity partner to the NBL. Sportradar will provide odds monitoring services across Australia’s top men’s and women’s competitions – including the NBL, NBL1 and Big V – to detect any betting irregularities through its market-leading Fraud Detection System. This would see 1,781 matches across professional and semi-professional basketball in Australia monitored by Sportradar.

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The Hungry Jack’s NBL’s global profile is rising, breaking new records for online viewership and attendance during  the 2019-20 season and it is now widely considered to be one of the premier leagues in the world outside of the NBA.

A record audience of nearly two million fans watched last season’s game between the SKY Sport New Zealand Breakers and Illawarra Hawks featuring recently drafted NBA players LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton live on Facebook.

David Edwards, Director of Sports Media and Partnerships – Oceania, said, “There’s no question that the NBL has rapidly become one of the top basketball leagues in the world, with a great mix of homegrown and imported talent across the competition. Sportradar is looking forward to expanding the NBL’s global footprint through our technology-based, data-driven approach to rights distribution, and helping the league unlock new commercial partnerships and opportunities off the back of that increased engagement.”

“The Sportradar-powered OTT platform will also be featuring a high volume of live and VOD matches across the NBL1 (state) leagues. We’re proud to help showcase the next generation of Australian basketball talent via a single dedicated streaming service for the very first time.”

The NBL’s Chief Commercial Officer Brad Joyne said: “The Hungry Jack’s NBL is delighted to work with Sportradar.  Through a combination of NBL’s local market reputation and growing fanbase and Sportradar’s focus on integrity and technology excellence proven in global markets, we feel confident that we can expand the NBL’s sphere of influence together and I very much look forward to seeing it happen.”

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This is the latest in a series of high-profile deals for Sportradar in the Asia Pacific region. The firm has leveraged its global experience, cutting edge technology and expertise in intellectual sports property rights to bring live games to audiences the world over during a difficult environment for sport. In late 2019, Sportradar signed a partnership with Korea’s K LEAGUE which helped the league expand its reach globally through online and broadcast platforms.

In addition, the company extended their relationship with Tennis Australia, leveraging its audiovisual (AV) and data content, encoding technology and Integrity Services to protect matches and expand their presence across global audiences. Sportradar is also powering the National Premier League OTT platform, NPL.tv, in cooperation with Football New South Wales and Football Queensland.

 

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Australia

ACMA Reveals Illegal Gambling Crackdown Results

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) revealed the outcome of a crackdown on illegal online gambling services operating around the time of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The report published shows that 200 offshore services were reviewed in the lead-up to and during the event. Of those services, 21 were investigated as they appeared to be directly targeting Australians. As a result, 18 services were found to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

Following notification of the ACMA’s findings, three of those services withdrew from the Australian market, while the remaining 15 services had their websites blocked by internet service providers at the request of the ACMA.

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ACMA authority member and online gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood said the sites were unlicensed to provide wagering services in Australia and in some cases also offered interactive gambling services such as online casinos and slots or online in-play betting, which are all banned in Australia.

“Illegal gambling operations often take advantage of high-profile sporting events to push their services onto fans. These sites also offer none of the consumer protections that apply to licensed wagering services in Australia. Using these sites is more than a gamble as you have no rights and even if you win, you may never see the money,” Ms Lidgerwood said.

Since 2019, the ACMA has been asking internet service providers to block gambling websites found to be operating in breach of Australian interactive gambling laws. Over that time, more than 900 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.

More than 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing illegal offshore gambling rules.

Minimising gambling harm is a current ACMA compliance priority and Australians can check on the ACMA’s online register to see if a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia.

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More information about online gambling is available on the ACMA’s website, including information on how to protect yourself from illegal gambling operators and instructions on how to make a complaint about an illegal site.

The post ACMA Reveals Illegal Gambling Crackdown Results appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Australia

SkyCity Appoints Jason Walbridge as Chief Executive Officer

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SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited has appointed Jason Walbridge as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Jason has more than two decades of senior executive public company experience in the global land-based and online gaming industries. He is currently a Strategic Advisor to global gaming and technology company Aristocrat Leisure Limited on its proposed acquisition of NeoGames S.A, and Executive Chairman of National Entertainment Network LLC, the largest amusement route operator in the US. He has been appointed to the role after an extensive international search.

SkyCity Board Chair Julian Cook said: “The Board is delighted to announce Jason’s appointment as CEO of SkyCity, and we are looking forward to the valuable contribution Jason will make to the business. Jason has extensive global experience in the land-based and online gaming industries, which will position him well to lead SkyCity through its next phases.”

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Mr Walbridge said: “It will be a privilege to lead SkyCity, and I am excited to be joining the business at this time as SkyCity looks to pursue the many opportunities ahead of it.”

Mr Walbridge is expected to start in early July 2024, following his move back to New Zealand.

Prior to his current roles, Mr Walbridge held roles with the online gaming supplier NYX Gaming Group Limited and its acquirer Light & Wonder Inc, and before that he spent 18 years with Aristocrat Leisure Limited where he held executive leadership roles in New Zealand and the US. Previously, he held senior roles within consulting, including with Ernst & Young, and was an Officer in the New Zealand Defence Force. Mr Walbridge holds an MBA in International Management from the Auckland Institute of Studies.

Mr Cook confirmed that Callum Mallett will continue as Interim Chief Executive Officer until Mr Walbridge’s commencement date.

“I’d like to thank Callum for his continued leadership and his support during this period,” Mr Cook said.

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The post SkyCity Appoints Jason Walbridge as Chief Executive Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Australia

VGCCC Fines BlueBet AU$50,000 for Gambling Advertising Breaches

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BlueBet has been fined AU$50,000 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for breaching gambling advertising regulations.

The company was found guilty of 43 charges related to displaying gambling advertisements on or above public roads, contravening the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.

The charges stemmed from an investigation initiated by VGCCC, following a complaint from a member of the public. The breaches occurred over a two-week period in August and September 2022, with BlueBet’s gambling advertisements appearing on digital billboards at various locations, including Point Cook, Laverton, Rockbank and Ravenhall.

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Magistrate Greg Thomas, overseeing the case, expressed scepticism about BlueBet’s defence that it was unaware of the breaches, given the strategic placement of the billboards to target males aged 15-54 years old. While no conviction was recorded, Magistrate Thomas noted the high degree of negligence exhibited by BlueBet.

VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM said: “Gambling advertising has no place on public roads where it is readily visible to children and other vulnerable groups. These places are especially difficult to avoid as part of day-to-day activities. This decision sends a clear message to wagering providers that flout these protections for our community.”

Although Magistrate Thomas considered imposing a higher fine and recording a conviction, he took into account BlueBet’s guilty plea, cooperation with VGCCC and measures taken to prevent future breaches. BlueBet has implemented changes to prevent similar incidents and has cooperated with VGCCC throughout the process.

The post VGCCC Fines BlueBet AU$50,000 for Gambling Advertising Breaches appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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