Pubs and clubs (in NSW) have dragged more than 570 poker machines out of storage and put them back into use to meet booming demand, contributing to a record $4.1 billion in net profit for the first half of the year.
The increase in the number of active poker machines – the first since at least 2017 – comes despite a government policy to reduce the number of machines in the community, and a year after Premier Chris Minns capped gaming machine entitlements.
Paywall free version:
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/pokies-pulled-from-storage-to-meet-booming-demand-as-profits-soar/ar-AA1qtozN
Clearly the community does not support pokie restrictions, despite my personal hate as programmed money zapping machines.
ACMA blocks more illegal offshore gambling websites
The ACMA has requested that Australian internet service providers (ISPs) 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:
Casino Bello
The Star confirmed on Wednesday it had received commitments from lenders to issue a new loan of up to $200 million across two tranches, the first of which is expected to be drawn from next month to quell a cost blowout at its newest casino precinct in Brisbane that is at the heart of its financial distress.
The Star’s new loan comes with strict conditions, requiring the company to come up with an additional $150 million – which could mean selling off one of its properties – and a long-term strategy.
Sportsbet – estimated to have a 45% share of the Australian online gambling market – has shut down all novelty markets for at least three weeks, according to monitoring by the Guardian. Social media users have observed no novelties have been offered since as early as the start of August.
These novelty markets have previously included offering odds on the Grammys and Oscars, Australian Survivor, WWE bouts or which band will win the Triple J Hottest 100.
The company’s most recent blog post in its novelty section – titled “Who will be the next James Bond predictions” – is from March this year.
Following the two inquiries by Adam Bell SC, the NICC has:
- Issued a $15 million fine for “serious breaches” of four internal control manuals
- Ordered additional financial and operational reporting requirements between now and March next year
- Proposed amendments to The Star’s suspended casino licence to include more prescriptive requirements around board constitution and key management personnel
- Requested changes to the Casino Control Act as recommended by Mr Bell’s inquiry.
ACMA takes out international award for rollout of gambling self-exclusion register
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is pleased to have been recognised with an international award for regulatory excellence for the launch of BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) announced that the ACMA received the Regulatory Excellence Award at the 2024 global regulators conference, citing the complex delivery and regulatory challenges that were overcome to create Australia’s first centralised exclusion register.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin praised ACMA staff who worked on the initiative and the success of the register in helping people make considered and supported decisions about their gambling.
“BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register represents a significant enhancement of consumer safeguards available to Australians who gamble,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“The IAGR award for regulatory excellence is a recognition of the dedication and collaboration of ACMA staff in delivering this important safeguard, which has supported the more than 30,000 Australians registered to date.”
Figures released in August to mark the register’s first 12 months showed younger Australians embracing self-exclusion, with almost half of registrants aged 30 and under and around 80 per cent aged 40 and under.
Australians can register to self-exclude from online and phone wagering at www.betstop.gov.au. All that is needed is a phone, email address and an identity document such as a driver licence, Medicare card or passport.
Registering is quick and easy – with most people able to register in less than 5 minutes.
Happy Cup Day!
The only time of the year I have a bet.
And this time it’s a radio/music inspired choice … # 13 ‘One Smooth Operator’ (a reference to the Sade song of sorts) in the big one. $20 for the win and $20 for the place.
Good luck, and above all, please gamble responsibly!
CHANCES ARE YOU’RE ABOUT TO LOSE.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Well that will be a profitable race for the bookies.
Winning jockey was a contestant on The Voice
Thought you recognised Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan? Well, that’s because he was a contestant on The Voice. In 2022, Dolan appeared on the hit show, turning three chairs with his rendition of James Bay’s Let It Go before joining star coach Rita Ora’s team. He progressed to the top 24 before being knocked out in the sing-offs.
In fact, two years ago Dolan sang Horses, the unofficial national anthem, at the Cox Plate. The Irishman moved with his family to Australia a few years and now lives in Queensland.
While the 28-year-old is handy with a mic, he’s just as talented on the back of a horse. He was even embraced by fellow Irish pop star Ronan Keating after winning.
On Tuesday, Ladbrokes revealed that the punter had sensationally picked the first four finishers in the Melbourne Cup.
The punter remarkably backed Knight’s Choice to finish first, Warp Speed to place second, Okita Soushi third and Zardozi in fourth to clinch the enormous prize pot.
According to Ladbroke’s odds prior to the race, Knight’s Choice had a 1.23 per cent chance of winning, with Warp Speed being priced at $26, Okita Souchi at $18 and Zardozi was backed to win at $14.
But the person managed to pick the final four placings for Australia’s great race, with Ladbrokes spokesperson Tom Hackett confirming the individual had staked $100 on the wager.
Tabcorp pays $262,000 penalty for illegal in-play bets
Tabcorp Holdings Limited (Tabcorp) has paid a $262,920 penalty for taking online in-play sports bets, which is illegal in Australia.
An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found Tabcorp accepted 854 in-play bets across 69 tennis matches between April and October 2023.
Online in-play betting—wagers made on a sporting event after it has commenced—is prohibited in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Authority member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the ban on online in-play betting is in place to protect vulnerable people.
“In-play betting increases access to gambling opportunities and exacerbates the risks of gambling harm, as people can place bets with high frequency on multiple outcomes during sporting events,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
“There has been significant growth in online sports betting in recent years and it’s important all online wagering services have systems in place so that illegal in-play bets are not accepted.”
During the investigation Tabcorp reported that the breaches occurred due to a technical ‘bug’ in its systems. While the error first occurred in April 2023, it was not fixed until October 2023.
“Tabcorp is a major wagering operator and it is concerning that it took some 6 months for the system error to be identified and fixed,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
In addition to paying the $262,920 penalty, Tabcorp has also advised the ACMA of controls it now has in place and future steps it will be taking to minimise the risk of online in-play bets being accepted.
In its consideration of this matter the ACMA also took into account that Tabcorp had voided all bets so consumers did not suffer any loss and Tabcorp did not profit from the errors.
Tabcorp was previously issued a formal warning by the ACMA in November 2021 for accepting in-play bets on a United States college basketball game.
Tabcorp recruits Paramount executive as its first chief commercial and media officer
Tabcorp has appointed Jarrod Villani as the company’s first chief commercial and media officer.
The role has been created to “deliver stronger commercial outcomes and maximise the value of the company’s assets across domestic and international media, our retail footprint and integrity services”, and will bring all commercial and media deals under one executive, who will also lead Sky Racing, which broadcasts into more than 60 countries.
Villani was most recently the regional lead of Paramount ANZ, encompassing the Australian operations of Network Ten and Paramount+, where he was involved in the launch of Paramount+, the restructuring of various business operations, and the negotiation of sports media rights.