Australia – Page 2

BTG’s ‘Christmas Catch’ Slot Hits Evolution Network December 1

December 2, 2023 Published by EuropeanGaming.eu

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Is there anything more Christmassy than BTG’s Christmas Catch?

The countdown to Christmas has begun, which can mean only one thing: a new festive game from Big Time Gaming. Christmas Catch is high on volatility, even higher on tinsel, and comes stuffed with more goodies than Santa’s sack. This seasonal slot will be hitting the Evolution Network on December 1 like a Christmas pud out of a bazooka.

If all you want for Christmas is a seasonal twist on BTG’s fan favourite Golden Catch slot, then you’ve come to the right place. Christmas Catch takes the magic of the original and transplants it to a winter wonderland on Christmas Eve.

Santa’s hardworking reindeer are putting in overtime this year. With every every spin and reaction, there’s the chance of a Sleigh symbol appearing above reels two to five. Whenever winning symbols are removed, one or more Gift Bonus Prizes may appear. Gift Bonus Prizes are awarded for each Sleigh and can be worth up to 500x the bet, depending on how many symbols are on its reel.

Meanwhile, land three Golden Pudding scatters in the base game to win 10 free spins, with an additional two for every scatter beyond the third. Then it’s take-off for Rudolph and his reindeer pals. The first Sleigh sets off with a 1x Sleigh Multiplier, and with each subsequent Sleigh, the multiplier increases by 1, enhancing your Gifts Bonus Prizes as it goes.

By gathering three or more Scatters during your Free Spins, you’ll be gifted four extra Free Spins. And just like before, for every Scatter beyond the third, you’ll receive an extra two Free Spins, ensuring the festivities continue.

Meanwhile, because this is a Megaways slot, there can be up to 117,649 ways to win on each spin, which could make for some potential big wins this Christmas.

Nik Robinson, BTG CEO, said: “We love this time of year because we have a lot of momentum with our annual Christmas slot, and we have sprinkled as much festive fun as we can onto Christmas Catch. And so, on behalf of everyone at BTG, we’d like to wish all slots fans around the world, health, wealth, happiness and prosperity this Christmas season.”

Nicholas Peters, Chief Business Development Officer for Europe at Evolution said: “Christmas-themed slots are becoming a genre unto themselves, but Christmas Catch must be a contender for the best one ever. This is more than just a seasonal gimmick, it’s a seriously good game with the kind of hugely engaging gameplay we’ve come to expect from BTG.”

GambleAware to Offer Peer Support for Those Experiencing Gambling Harm in 2024

November 25, 2023 Published by EuropeanGaming.eu

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People seeking gambling harm support through GambleAware will soon be able to consult with those with lived experience through a new service adding to the suite of free support already offered including general and financial counselling, online chat as well as education and other resources.

The Office of Responsible Gambling has appointed The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) to build the capacity of GambleAware providers to offer the Peer Support option from January 2024.

The Office of Responsible Gambling Director Alison Parkinson said peer support is a non-clinical option for people seeking help to address gambling harm and a key component of the stepped care approach of the GambleAware treatment and support model.

“This service will provide an additional option for people experiencing gambling harm, making sure that people across NSW can access support that meets their needs and circumstances,” Ms Parkinson said.

“The service will work with GambleAware providers so they are ready and able to offer peer support from early 2024. This will include helping them to recruit and train peer support workers.”

The service will build the capacity of our GambleAware providers to deliver safe and effective peer support services, as well as recruit and retain peer support workers in their local area.

Some key functions of this initiative include:

Providing expert input to support the recruitment and retention of peer support workers
Developing peer support resources for GambleAware providers
Facilitating ongoing professional development and training for peer support workers to ensure they get the support and development opportunities they need to perform their roles safely and effectively.

Thousands of Australians sign up to the new National Self-Exclusion Register

October 25, 2023 Published by EuropeanGaming.eu

Reading Time: 3 minutes

BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register – is making a big difference to Australians at risk of experiencing online gambling harm, with almost 10,000 people registered since its launch in August 2023.

The vast majority of registrants are under 40 years of age and the most common registration period is for a lifetime, demonstrating the importance of this initiative for young Australians who are worried about how online gambling is affecting them.

More than 1,200 people have also been nominated as support persons – people who have been put forward by registered users as someone who can help them get through their self-exclusion period.

BetStop covers all Australian licensed interactive wagering service providers–both online and telephone-based – and prohibits these providers from opening an account or accepting a bet from self‑excluded individuals, or sending them marketing material.

Australians are able to self-exclude from a minimum of 3 months to a lifetime, by registering free-of-charge and in a single interaction. To date, most registrations are taking less than 5 minutes, highlighting that this is a quick and easy way for people protect themselves from gambling harms.

Wagering service providers must promote BetStop, including on their websites and apps, and via marketing material to customers.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is currently monitoring compliance by industry with BetStop to ensure self-excluded individuals are not able to open new accounts and do not receive marketing materials.

Complementing BetStop, the Government has also introduced mandatory pre-verification. This means wagering companies must verify a customer’s identity when they register for a new account and before they can place a bet. This strengthens protections for underage Australians and those self-excluded through BetStop.

Gambling harm has a significant impact on individuals, communities, and the nation, and taking the step to self-exclude is a big step for many people.

Australia has the highest gambling losses per adult in the world, with a total of $25 billion in losses every year.

Online gambling is growing in Australia, including due to ease of access through mobile devices. In less than 10 years, participation in online gambling has more than doubled, equating to approximately 3.5 million Australian adults. Around one million online gamblers in Australia are at risk of, or are experiencing, some degree of gambling harm.

As part of its harm minimisation agenda, the Government also recently introduced legislation to ban the use of credit cards for online wagering.

For more information visit www.betstop.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“The Albanese Government is committed to minimising the harms associated with gambling online.

“That’s why we launched BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register – in August this year as the final measure of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering.

“It’s fantastic to see BetStop making a big difference to nearly 10,000 Australians.

“If you or someone you care about need support, I strongly encourage you to visit the BetStop website to learn more about the Register and the many other supports available”.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP

“Our Government is focused on preventing and minimising the harm caused by online wagering and we’ve taken a number of positive steps towards achieving that goal.

“It’s great that BetStop is already having such a positive impact, along with our other measures such as new evidence-based taglines that Australians would have seen on rotation on their screens and radios.

“Pre-verification is also assisting in ensuring people aren’t finding workarounds to bet if they have opted to exclude themselves from online wagering.

“We know minimising the harm caused by online wagering is not a set and forget exercise and our Government is working closely with our state and territory counterparts on what comes next now all measures under the National Consumer Protection Framework have been implemented.”

Everything You Need to Know Ahead of Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023: The First Live Counter-Strike 2 Event

October 13, 2023 Published by EuropeanGaming.eu

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) returns down under to Sydney, Australia, on October 16 to 22 and will be the first ever live international tournament to be played on Counter-Strike (CS) 2. The final three days of the competition will be held in front of a live audience as fans are invited to enter the Aware Super Theatre to witness history being made.

Intel Extreme Masters returns to Sydney as 16 of the world’s best Counter-Strike teams face off on October 16 to 22 to battle it out for a share of the US$250,000 prize pool.
During the final three days, the top six teams will compete in front of a live crowd at the iconic Aware Super Theatre.
The winning team will cement their spot in eSports history as the first Champions in Counter-Strike 2 and take a step forward in the race to secure Intel Grand Slam V.
Amongst others, local heroes Grayhound.Rivalry and VERTEX Esports Club will be attending, fighting for the crown.
The competition will be streamed live from Sydney on ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels and via dedicated broadcast partners.

Here is all you need to know about IEM Sydney 2023

IEM Sydney 2023 will see 16 top CS 2 teams compete for a total prize pool of US$250,000, a win in the race to secure Intel Grand Slam V and a spot in the Group Stage of IEM Katowice 2024, the first ESL Pro Tour Championship event next year. Commencing October 16, contenders from around the globe will compete in Sydney with the six best teams facing off live in front of a packed-out audience at the Aware Super Theatre between October 20 to 22.

The Caches IV show-match

Powered by Intel and Acer, The Caches is a legendary fan-favourite show-match that will be making its return to IEM Sydney for a fourth time. As a lead-in to the IEM Sydney Grand Final, Team Australia will battle it out against Team UK at 16:30 local time on Sunday, October 22, with Chad ‘SPUNJ’ Burchill and Henry ‘HenryG’ Greer returning to the stage and continuing their epic rivalry.

Schedule and format

Group Stage (October 16 to 18):

Featuring 16 teams of which the top six advance to the playoffs.
* The group stage will be a double-elimination bracket.
* Opening matches are best-of-one.
* All following matches are best-of-three.
* Group stage winners advance to the semi-finals.
* The group stage runners-up advance to the quarterfinals as the high seeds.
* The group stage third-place teams advance to the quarter-finals as the low seeds.

Playoffs (October 20 to 22):

Played in a single elimination format.
The quarter-finals, semi-finals and grand final will all be best-of-three.

Teams attending

ENCE (ESL Partner Team)
FaZe Clan (ESL Partner Team)
G2 Esports (ESL Partner Team)
MOUZ (ESL Partner Team)
Natus Vincere (ESL Partner Team)
Team Vitality (ESL Partner Team)
Cloud9 (ESL World Ranking)
Fnatic (ESL World Ranking)
GamerLegion (ESL World Ranking)
Monte (ESL World Ranking)
Grayhound.Rivalry (Local Hero Invite)
Apeks (European Qualifier)
BetBoom Team (European Qualifier)
Complexity Gaming (North American Qualifier)
Lynn Vision Gaming (Asian Qualifier)
VERTEX Esports Club (Oceanic Qualifier)

Prize money (USD)

TOTAL	$250,000
1st	$100,000
2nd	$42,000
3rd-4th	$20,000
5th-6th	$10,000
7th – 8th	$6,000
9th – 12th	$5,000
13th-16th	$4,000

Broadcast talent

Tres ‘stunna’ Saranthus (Desk Host)
Freya ‘Freya’ Spiers (Desk Host)
Janko ‘YNk’ Paunovic (Analyst)
Sudhen ‘Bleh’ Wahengbam (Analyst)
Aleksandar ‘kassad’ Trifunovic (Analyst)
Anastasija ‘Heccu’ Tolmaceva (Sideline Reporter)
Alex ‘Machine’ Richardson (Caster)
Chad ‘SPUNJ’ Burchill (Caster)
James Bardolph (Caster)
Alex ‘Hawka’ Hawkins (Caster)
Mitch ‘Conky’ Concanen (Stage Host)
Jordan ‘Elfishguy’ Mays (Caster)
Mitchell ‘pilski’ Pilipowski (Caster)
Geordie ‘Mac’ McAleer (Caster)
James ‘jimNeso’ Cowan (Caster)

On-site side activities

Held in conjunction with IEM Sydney, the SXSW Sydney Innovation and Technology expo takes place on October 18 to 21, giving fans attending the event in person the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of on-site activities:

At the Intel Booth, fans are invited to try out the latest games and hardware, participate in activities and get their idols’ signatures.
At the ESL Shop, attendees can pick up official eSports merch including exclusive drops, Kolex Cards and their favourite team’s jersey. Local teams Vertex and Grayhound.Rivalry will also be stocked.
The Monster Energy Booth features a sampling bar where fans can grab their prefered flavor, meet Monster streamers, get a fresh haircut and more.
Stay tuned as additional details and activities will be revealed.

Where to watch

Fans tuning in online and watching the matches from around the globe can look forward to an exciting broadcast filled with extra content.

The live broadcast will be available on the ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch for free on-demand via YouTube.

Assets for IEM Sydney 2023 can be found in the press kit.

For more information about IEM Sydney 2023 and the latest updates, please visit the official website and follow ESL Counter-Strike on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Details of the mentioned activities are still subject to change.

Independent Panel Gets to Work on NSW Government’s Landmark Gaming Reforms

August 17, 2023 Published by EuropeanGaming.eu

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The NSW Government has welcomed the first meeting of the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform. The Independent Panel has considered elements of the upcoming cashless gaming trial, as well as matters which will inform its recommendations to the NSW Government on a gaming reform implementation roadmap.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris addressed the Independent Panel at their first meeting in Sydney on Monday, 14 August 2023.

Mr Harris said he was pleased the Independent Panel was considering the design and framework for the upcoming cashless gaming trial carefully and as a matter of priority, including the minimum requirements for venues and technology providers to take part.

“The Panel’s first priority is to confirm the design and regulatory settings for the expanded cashless gaming trial, to ensure it can start as soon as possible,” Mr Harris said.

“This includes deciding which venues will take part, ensuring there is an appropriate mix of hotels and clubs across metropolitan and regional areas.

“By imposing certain mandatory requirements, the Panel can ensure that the trial will have strong data security and privacy protections in place.”

The Independent Panel will also provide advice to the NSW Government on a gaming reform implementation roadmap by November 2024.

This will include making recommendations to the NSW Government on the use of the $100 million harm minimisation fund, expanding the self-exclusion register and providing for third-party exclusions, and the use of facial recognition technology to support the enhanced exclusions schemes.

The panel will also be consulted on a review of the ClubGRANTS Scheme, which is being undertaken by Liquor & Gaming NSW in consultation with The Cabinet Office and NSW Treasury. This review will be undertaken separately, but concurrent with the Panel’s work on gaming reforms.

The inaugural meeting was chaired by former NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing Commissioner Michael Foggo with Dr Ursula Stephens (former Senator for NSW, Australian Labor Party) and The Hon Niall Blair (former Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals) comprising the Executive Committee.

Chair Michael Foggo said the NSW Government had carefully considered the composition of the Independent Panel to ensure it is well placed to provide balanced and expert advice about gaming reform.

Mr Foggo said it was clear from the outset that all panel members are passionate about gaming reform and committed to making a difference in NSW.

“The panel is set up so that a range key stakeholders and experts are represented including industry, gambling harm minimisation experts, academic experts, law enforcement and cyber security,” Mr Foggo said.

“It also has the ability to seek input from other external experts in the field and government bodies such as the NSW Crime Commission, the NSW Information and Privacy Commission and AUSTRAC.”

VGCCC Orders Ban on Betting on Minors in Sport Events

August 7, 2023 Published by EuropeanGaming.eu

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) will ban betting on all under 19 sports competitions, and any betting on the performance of individual players who are under 18 in junior and senior sport.

In letters sent last week to the bodies controlling all major sports and to sports betting providers, the VGCCC states it has “determined that permitting betting on minors is contrary to the public interest and poses potential integrity and gambling related harm concerns”.

These concerns include the susceptibility of minors to approaches seeking to undermine the integrity of a sporting event and normalising gambling on events involving children.

The ban prohibits offering bets on:

sporting events where all participants are minors
sporting events for under-19s
open events where minors are playing, meaning a bet can be placed on the open event “team” but not on particular outcomes for players in the team who are under 18 years old.

The ban includes offering bets on outcomes such as “first goal of the game”, “most disposals” or “first player to take a wicket”, where individual players are minors. Bets can still be made on team outcomes in senior sports when minors may be playing.

Sports controlling bodies — sporting organisations that control, regulate and are approved by VGCCC to oversee betting on their sport — have been directed to vary their agreements with betting providers to ensure that they prohibit the offering of markets involving minors.

The VGCCC is also instituting the same ban for any other sports that are not governed by an approved sports controlling body.

Bodies controlling all major sports and betting providers will have 60 days to comply with the new requirements, after which it will be an offence to allow bets on games and outcomes relating to individual players in a team or participating in the sports betting event who are under 18.

VGCCC chair Fran Thorn said: “The idea that it is okay to bet on minors just doesn’t stand up. We think minors deserve to be protected. It also raises integrity issues, with the prospect of people attempting to influence how minors might behave playing sport.

“If sports controlling bodies and betting providers do not comply with this decision we will take action, which may include revoking our approval of sports controlling bodies and prosecuting betting providers.”

The letters state: “The VGCCC is of the view that betting on contingencies in sporting events relating to the performance of an individual minor in that sporting event is contrary to the public interest.”

“It will, therefore, be prohibited to offer bets on an outcome such as ‘first goal of the game’, ‘most disposals’ or ‘first player to take a wicket’, where the outcome relates to an individual player that is a minor. For the avoidance of doubt, bets will still be able to be offered on the open team performance,” Ms Thorn said.

Australian Gambling Self-exclusion Register to Launch on August 21

July 11, 2023 Published by EuropeanGaming.eu

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The Australian Government has announced the release of its self-exclusion register, BetStop, which is set to launch on 21 August 2023.

Under the rules, interactive wagering providers will be required to promote BetStop through their websites, apps and marketing materials.

The Chair of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Nerida O’Loughlin, noted that the measure will be important in helping people change their gambling habits.

“BetStop will help those at risk of gambling harm to take control of their situation, allowing them to block themselves from all licensed online and phone wagering services in a single process,” Ms O’Loughlin stated in a press release.

O’Loughlin noted that the industry must now work to update systems and processes to protect customers and encourage them to use BetStop.

“People who want to change their gambling habits can also start exploring whether Betstop can play a role to help them make those choices,” she said.

Under the initiative, problem gamblers will be able to stop themselves from creating new accounts and block advertising for a period from three months to a lifetime.

BetStop will apply to all Australian licensed online and phone wagering services, which will be required to stop gamblers from opening new accounts during their self-exclusion period.

“People who want to change their gambling habits can also start exploring whether Betstop can play a role to help them make those choices,” said O’Loughlin.

The Star Appoints Peter Hodgson as Non-Executive Director

July 8, 2023 Published by EuropeanGaming.eu

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Star Entertainment has appointed Peter Hodgson as a non-executive director.

The Star’s Chairman David Foster said: “On behalf of the Board, I welcome Peter to The Star. With his extensive commercial, governance and risk management experience, Peter is well positioned to contribute to The Star’s remediation and transformation.”

Hodgson will join the Board immediately upon the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and, until that time, will be a Board observer.

Hodgson is an experienced director with extensive global financial services experience and a strong business track record. He is a strategic thinker with in-depth experience in large complex companies. He is currently Chairman of ASX-listed Judo Bank and the Centre of Evidence and Implementation, a director of Planum Partners, a member of the University of Melbourne’s Trinity College Investment Management Committee and a member of the advisory board of Drummond Capital Partners.

Hodgson previously held senior executive roles in Australian and global financial institutions including Chief Risk Officer and Group Managing Director Institutional at ANZ, and was most recently Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Myer Family Investments.

Hodgson said: “I am pleased to be joining the Board of The Star and look forward to contributing to the company’s transformation to deliver benefits for The Star’s stakeholders.”

The Guardian Bans Gambling Advertising

June 17, 2023 Published by EuropeanGaming.eu

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Guardian Media Group has announced a global ban on gambling advertising, arguing it is unethical to take money from services that can lead to “addiction and financial ruin”.

Anna Bateson, the chief executive of Guardian Media Group, said advertising, particularly online, could trap gamblers in an “addictive cycle” that caused financial distress, mental health issues and wider social problems.

She said: “Guardian journalists have reported on the devastating impact of the gambling industry in the UK and Australia, helping to shift the dial and ensure the issue remains high on the public agenda. Studies highlight a clear correlation between exposure to gambling advertising and increased intentions to engage in regular gambling.”

Bateson said a particular concern was how bookmakers used targeted online adverts to lure back individual gamblers. “Ultimately, we believe that our primary obligation is to do the right thing for our readers, which is why we’ve decided that there are other ways to generate revenue,” she said.

The ban covers all forms of gambling advertising, including promotions for sports betting, online casinos and scratchcards. It will apply worldwide to all of the company’s online and print outlets, including the Guardian, Observer and Guardian Weekly.

Lottery advertising has been excluded from the ban, with a spokesperson for the Guardian saying it could have social benefits through raising money for good causes and typically involved “non-instantaneous draws”.

The Guardian already has a ban on adverts from fossil fuel companies, which has been in place since 2020.

The decision to exclude gambling advertising from the Guardian’s publications follows the rapid growth of online betting on sporting events, aided by deregulation and the huge increase in the number of smartphone users. The US has recently embraced online betting on sports, following the lead of Australia and the UK, where gambling has exploded in popularity over the past decade.

In order to sustain their profits, gambling companies spend enormous sums of money on advertising to attract new customers – and to persuade existing ones to return for one more flutter.

Many media outlets are increasingly reliant on money from betting companies. British television channels have said their business models increasingly depend on advertising from bookmakers, while TikTok is trialling gambling advertising in Australia, and the US outlet Barstool Sports was bought outright by a casino group.

There are signs of growing discomfort about this approach among the public and prominent journalists, at a time when other countries are instituting outright bans on gambling advertising. The veteran football commentator Clive Tyldesley recently left the radio station TalkSport because he felt uncomfortable with the obligation to promote bookmakers and odds during matches.

Guardian Media Group increasingly relies on contributions directly from readers, rather than advertising, for its income.

Bateson said: “We are able to make these types of decisions due to our independent ownership structure, balancing purpose and profit.”

She said the Guardian’s own reporting had shown how the UK’s government’s proposed betting reforms “fell short on any meaningful action on gambling advertising”.

She said: “We understand and respect that millions of our readers, including our reporters and staff, are passionate sports fans who may occasionally choose to engage in gambling as part of their sporting experience. It is a matter of personal freedom, and we have no issue with that.

“We fully support the enjoyment of sports and respect individuals’ choices to participate in occasional gambling on football, horse racing, or any other sport. Our concern lies with the pervasive nature of retargeted digital advertisements that trap a portion of sports fans in an addictive cycle.”

ACMA Takes Action Against Illegal “Skins” Gambling Site

May 19, 2023 Published by EuropeanGaming.eu

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Online gaming company Feral Holdings Limited has been given a formal warning and its CS:GO Roll website has been withdrawn from Australia after the company was found to be providing prohibited interactive gambling services.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found CS:GO Roll was providing casino-style online games, which are illegal under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 if the games are played for money or anything else of value.

CS:GO Roll allowed users to deposit “skins” from popular video game Counter Strike: Global Offensive in exchange for in-game coins that could be used to gamble on casino-style games. Winnings from CS:GO Roll would then be paid out in the form of skins, which could be converted into real money using third-party platforms.

Gaming skins are used to change the look of virtual items or characters and can be won in video games or purchased via third party websites.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said gambling sites must follow Australian gambling laws, even if they use virtual items instead of traditional currency.

“Providing casino-style games online is prohibited in Australia when playing for money or something of value, whether that’s Australian dollars, cryptocurrency or in this case, online gaming skins,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

“Skins gambling services are particularly concerning as they tap into a youth market and have the potential to convert gamers into gamblers,” she said.

Feral Holdings has been issued with a formal warning for contravening Australian gambling laws.

Tag: Australia

BTG’s ‘Christmas Catch’ Slot Hits Evolution Network December 1

GambleAware to Offer Peer Support for Those Experiencing Gambling Harm in 2024

Thousands of Australians sign up to the new National Self-Exclusion Register

Everything You Need to Know Ahead of Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023: The First Live Counter-Strike 2 Event

Independent Panel Gets to Work on NSW Government’s Landmark Gaming Reforms

VGCCC Orders Ban on Betting on Minors in Sport Events

Australian Gambling Self-exclusion Register to Launch on August 21

The Star Appoints Peter Hodgson as Non-Executive Director

The Guardian Bans Gambling Advertising

ACMA Takes Action Against Illegal “Skins” Gambling Site

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