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The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) announced on March 7th that its probe into bet365’s compliance with Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act) is now underway. AML/CTF regulations concern the issue of criminals using companies for the purposes of concealing money obtained through illegitimate means or for financing terrorist organisations. Sportsbooks and gambling companies, in general, are particularly susceptible to this form of exploitation, and combating the problem involves the utilisation of Know Your Customer (KYS) systems. They serve to carefully audit client activity…

According to research data gathered by the independent charity GambleAware, the problem gambling rate in the West Midlands stands at 3.9%, with 168,000 individuals in total being affected. The locations that are most severely impacted include Coventry (5.1%), Birmingham (4.5%), and Sandwell (4%), and the overall data shows that adults residing in the West Midlands are 25% more likely to fall victim to problem gambling in comparison to the average for Great Britain. Stigma is seen as one of the core factors preventing those struggling from seeking help, with a…

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is considering launching an investigation into Foxtel concerning gambling advertisements displayed during the airing of an Australia vs New Zealand test cricket match last week. The complaint accusing Foxtel of the alleged violations was filed by ABC News, and the ads involve Parimatch and 1xBat. The latter is a “surrogate” brand created for the purpose of promoting the sportsbook 1xBet. As reported by ABC News, both sportsbooks operate online and lack licensing in Australia and New Zealand. Their promotion can thus be considered…

Danny Cheetham, an ex-problem gambler who is currently in the process of securing a Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence, spoke with the BBC’s Nicola K Smith on his concerns regarding AI’s role in the gambling industry. As revealed by Mr Cheetham, his struggles with gambling began when he was only 18, and remote betting served to further worsen the issue due to “the ease of access and the solitary nature” of remote sportsbooks. He now believes artificial intelligence could also become something that could prove to “deepen addiction” for individuals…

This year’s Powercor Stawell Gift carnival will not give spectators the opportunity to place bets despite the event’s traditional ties to sports betting. The Stawell Gift has been an annual racing event since 1878, and, as specified by Stawell Gift Event Management Limited (SGEM) on Thursday, the 2024 carnival is set to be held from March 30th to April 1st. According to SGEM Chair Murray Emerson, a notable number of the individuals who will be participating in the racing event are under-19s, including the defending champions who will be competing…

The government of Guernsey has announced the launch of a Channel Islands Lottery (CI Lottery) survey, which seeks to shed light on residents’ feelings regarding the lottery and their participation in it, and it will also cover other forms of gambling. Island Global Research is the entity conducting the survey. According to Senior Lottery Officer for Guernsey Jon Taylor, the survey will provide the CI Lottery with information that will assist in the future development of lottery games when it comes to player safety. Mr Taylor also said that the…

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has launched an investigation into media giant Optus Sport following a complaint filed last month by investigative journalist Jack Kerr that concerns the promotion of gambling operators. As reported by The Guardian, Kerr has alleged that a broadcast by Optus Sport of a December game between the Premier League’s Aston Villa and Manchester City contained frequent pitch-side advertisements of betting companies that have not obtained the necessary licensing to operate in Australia. Kerr named several bookmakers that were promoted during games aired by…

During yesterday’s debate on the Gambling White Paper proposal surrounding financial vulnerability checks, MP Stuart Andrew reiterated that the Government and the Gambling Commission are planning to move forward with enforcing the introduction of the said checks. The debate followed a petition concerning the issue, which was created by Jockey Club Chief Nevin Truesdale and reached 100,000 signatures. Mr Truesdale, along with other representatives of the horse racing industry, is against the implementation of the financial checks that will require online betting operators to check a client’s financial situation should…

On Sunday, a day prior to the Government’s scheduled debate regarding the affordability checks proposed in the Gambling White Paper, Jockey Club CEO Nevin Truesdale made a plea to the Government for the measure to be scrapped. His petition on the matter, which is set to end on May 1st, has thus far amassed more than 103,000 signatures. Currently, the plans dictate that individuals who incur a £125 net loss per month or £500 per year would be eligible to undergo financial vulnerability checks. This would mean that even losses…

The UK Government announced earlier today that, starting September, gamblers who are 24 or younger will have their stake limits capped at £2 per spin when it comes to online slots. As for those who are at least 25 years old, the bet limit will stand at £5. Operators will be given a six-week transition period in order to implement the latter and an additional six weeks to develop and adopt any technical solutions that will facilitate the implementation of the £2 limit. These caps mirror the stake ceilings that…