Australia has introduced a new measure banning the use of credit cards for online gambling, aiming to ensure that players only gamble with their own money. This significant change has been in the works since 2021, with Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) and its members playing a crucial role in advocating for and developing this ban alongside the Commonwealth Government and the financial services industry.

Industry Support for the Ban

Responsible Wagering Australia CEO Kai Cantwell expressed the importance of this measure, emphasizing that it helps individuals manage their gambling more effectively. “This is an important measure to protect customers, making it easier for people to stay in control of their own gambling behaviour,” Mr. Cantwell stated. He highlighted that this ban complements the existing suite of safer gambling tools provided by RWA members.

Cantwell also pointed out the need for uniform consumer protection measures across all forms of gambling. “RWA and its members support the extension of this measure to all forms of gambling that have been exempted from the ban such as lotteries and keno. If consumer protection measures aren’t consistent across all forms of gambling, it will incentivize vulnerable Australians to move to less-regulated types of gambling, where they are more at risk of harm.”

Enhanced Consumer Protection Tools

RWA members are committed to ensuring that gambling is conducted safely and responsibly. They offer a variety of tools to help users manage their gambling activities more effectively. Many of these tools have been integrated into the National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF) by the Commonwealth Government.

Cantwell noted the significance of the NCPF in maintaining a safe gambling environment. “The NCPF is expected to be evaluated shortly and we look forward to engaging in this process to ensure that consumer protection tools are fit-for-purpose and support a safe and sustainable regulated gambling environment,” he added.

This credit card ban marks a crucial step in protecting Australian consumers from the potential harms of gambling by preventing the use of borrowed money for such activities. It underscores the commitment of both the government and the industry to foster a safer and more regulated gambling environment.

Source: “Australia Enforces Credit Card Ban for Online Gambling”, European Gaming, June 12, 2024.

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A recent spate of attacks against women based on gender violence has prompted spontaneous protests in Australia, with citizens looking for answers from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and asking the leader to do more and ensure that women are protected from the spike in violent behavior they are subjected to.

13-Year-Old-Boys Won’t Change Culture of Sexual Violence

One possible solution, argues criminologist Michael Salter, is a concentrated effort by the government, which should seek and mount a national campaign to ensure that it has a robust strategy in addressing the festering issue which has spilt over to open public discontent.

One of the specific problems Salter outlines is that the onus is often put on boys and men, with the most common strategy being simply telling the demographic to “change.” Yet, this is a poor strategy as it elicits feeble responses. Instead, the root cause has to be addressed. Boys and men are exposed to alcohol, pornography, and gambling, which have been tied to increased rates of violence.

“Why is it the responsibility of a 13-year-old-boy to change the culture around sexual violence,” Salter asked rhetorically, arguing that the burden should rest with the state and the government instead.

Gambling Is “In the Mix”

His opinion is somewhat shared by Women’s Community Shelter chief executive Annabelle Daniel, who also serves as chair of Domestic Violence NSW, who spoke to The Sydney Morning Herald’s Natassia Chrysanthos who did the original reporting on the piece.

Daniel spoke about the prompts that lead to increased violence on the part of men, arguing that alcohol, financial stress, drinking, and gambling all have a toll on a man’s psyche and could prompt men to violence against their spouses, usually women.

These warnings should be heeded by the Albanese government which has found its hands full with addressing both gambling and now the increase in violence against women.

The fact that both are somewhat related presents a fresh challenge and opportunity for the government, which has been working hard on enacting several significant regulatory safeguards at least insofar as gambling is concerned.

Australia has moved forward with a ban on credit cards and local regulators are also now holding gambling companies to higher standards. Yet, the prevalence of gambling remains a major issue in Australia as 2 in 5 adults in the Down Under gamble weekly, making it one of the world’s biggest gambling nations.

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Global gambling giant Entain is reportedly exploring a bid to secure direct access to a free-to-air TV channel targeting Australian audiences. The move aims to broadcast racing events, explore synergies, promote gambling products, and challenge the monopoly of Tabcorp-owned Sky Racing. Entertain’s previous broadcasting experience should provide substantial benefits, helping leverage a potential agreement.

A recent Australian Financial Review report revealed that Entain, which owns prominent wagering brands like Ladbrokes and Neds, approached leading commercial networks, including Seven, Nine, and Ten, a few months ago. The proposal involved inquiring about the potential creation of a new platform for broadcasting greyhound, harness, and thoroughbred racing. 

Industry insiders claim Entain offered around $8 million per year to rent a channel, with Network Ten reportedly being the closest to a deal. While Entain has not finalized any agreement, the move signals an attempt to diversify broadcasting options. If successful, the model would be based on the Racing.com channel, initially a joint venture between Seven Network and Racing Victoria.

However, managing a dedicated free-to-air channel requires securing racing rights. Entain has previously struck a 25-year deal with New Zealand TAB, aiming to expand the audience and provide NZ racing with a more substantial presence in Australia. Success with the company’s newest media venture in the region would break Tabcorp’s control over the broadcast of state-based racing and hopefully bring significant dividends.

A Successful Deal Could Bring Long-Term Benefits

The multichannel deal for racing could be a strategic move for betting companies and TV networks to navigate an anticipated crackdown on online gambling advertising. A parliamentary inquiry recommended a complete ban on internet gambling ads, contributing significantly to media companies’ revenues. Diversified marketing options should shield Entain from such a crackdown, improving marketing opportunities.

Entering the free-to-air TV space should give Entain a significant edge in the Australian market. Tabcorp’s Sky Racing Channel, which offers content similar to Entain’s preferred offerings, is only available via Foxtel and the Kayo streaming service. A free-to-air entry by the gaming giant would significantly disrupt the current status quo, reaching broader audiences.

Exploring a multichannel deal is part of Entain’s broader reorganization initiatives. The company is undergoing a significant strategic realignment, accompanied by ongoing high-level management reshuffles. This newest expansion into broadcasting aligns with Entain’s ongoing efforts to diversify its operations and strengthen its position in the evolving wagering and broadcasting landscape.

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In the context of the growing pressure to implement safer gambling standards in Australia, the country’s federal government has embraced the task of enforcing a series of fresh regulations that would increase the protection of players. 

The new regulations are impacting several areas of sportsbook operations, including retail betting and payments.

Cashless Retail Betting 

Given the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission’s (VGCCC) latest report related to the rise in the number of gambling incidents involving minors, they decided to take immediate action by asking Tabcorp, which is Victoria’s exclusive betting license holder, to introduce cashless retail betting on 70% of all of its terminals. 

This way, Tabcorp’s staff would be the first to prevent potential underage betting scenarios. 

Approximately 1,800 electronic betting terminals belonging to Tabcorp are expected to become cashless effective later on in the month. 

In order to use them, visitors would need to obtain a voucher from the betting venue’s counter. This way, customers who appear to be younger than 25 would need to first go through an ID verification procedure.

Last December, Liquor & Gaming New South Wales announced it would expand its cashless gambling trial amid increased interest shown by clubs and other venues. 

RWA Deems Underage Gambling as “Absolutely Unacceptable” 

SBC News and Payment Expert discussed the matter with Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), the trade body that represents a number of high-profile holders of Australian licenses with names like bet365, Sportsbet, Pointsbet, Betfair, Unibet, and Entain on the list.

While Tabcorp is not a representative of RWA, the association has highlighted the critical importance of accurately meeting all standards regarding responsible gambling across the industry as a whole. 

Plus, Tabcorp shares responsibility concerning the implementation and enactment of safer gambling standards throughout Australia. 

RWA’s chief executive officer, Kai Cantwell, called it “absolutely unacceptable” for any underage Australian to be able to gamble, further mentioning the way online betting suppliers perform age and identity verifications on all customers prior to allowing them to make any transaction. 

Cantwell called the procedure “an important mechanism to mitigate money laundering and terrorism financing risks.”

The CEO added that RWA encourages “sensible regulatory measures” that can carry other forms of gambling up to the current standard that online betting providers are now operating on. 

At the moment, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s cabinet is busy implementing no less than 31 recommendations made by a parliamentary inquiry into gambling.
 

Last December, the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee issued a request to the state of Victoria, asking for TV gambling ads to be restricted as part of a more complex report on gambling and liquor regulations in the state.

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A week ago, Australia’s House of Representatives approved the ban on using credit cards to gamble online. However, another much-discussed ban, the ban on gambling advertisements, might prove to be a trickier matter.

Michelle Rowland, Australia’s communications minister, commented on the matter, saying that the implementation of such a ban might prove to be very tricky. During the recent National Press Club meeting, she commented on the matter, pointing out that the gambling ads ban might be more difficult to implement than the ban on tobacco ads.

Rowland added that no decision has been made on the recommendation to phase out gambling ads. For reference, the proposal seeks to ban gambling ads within three years, providing gambling companies with ample time to adapt.

Rowland explained that the relationship between the gambling industry and the sports sector has changed a lot over the past three years. She acknowledged the impact of ads on the sports community but insisted that a complete ban would be a challenging undertaking.

Speaking of this, National Rugby League Clubs recently started bracing for the potential ban. Some clubs expressed their hope that the ban, if passed, would contain a grandfather clause that allows them to comply with the terms of their existing sponsorships until they find a new sponsor.

In her speech at the National Press Club meeting, Rowland also addressed the increasing number of BetStop registrants. She pointed out that Australia’s self-exclusion scheme, originally launched in August, is now used by some 13,000 Australians. Rowland added that 40% of these people have opted for a lifetime exclusion from gambling.

BetStop is a scheme that allows Australian customers to exclude themselves from all forms of legal online and phone-based gambling services in Australia. Operators risk huge fines if they allow BetStop registrants to play.

In other news, Michelle Rowland recently came under fire after it became known that she celebrated her previous birthday with representatives of Responsible Wagering Australia. For reference, RWA is a group that represents the interests of several major gambling operators.

In the wake of this news, Kooyong MP Monique Ryan introduced a bill that seeks to make misters’ schedules more transparent to the public and make lobbying efforts more transparent. Ryan admitted that Rowland’s launch with RWA did not violate any rules but said that this was exactly the problem.

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Gambling is identified as a serious public health problem in Australia. Known as the world’s biggest losers, Australians lose hundreds of millions of dollars every month, making the annual losses upwards of billions. While a major part of the population of the country spends hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on gambling each month, a new study warns about the dangers of gambling addiction among minors.

As announced by The Guardian Australia, there’s a growing concern about gambling addiction among minors, under the age of 18. The publication released new research into gambling addiction, highlighting the dangers of early exposure of children to gambling and the devastating impact addiction brings years after.

The new research cited data from Gambling Help Online, showing that for the 2022-23 financial year, the number of young people, age 24 and under, that reached out for help, increased by 16%. The worrying data revealed that out of the 2,136 total calls for help, some 600 came from youth between the ages of 15 and 24.

Virtual Items from Videogames Can Serve as a Gateway to Gambling

One way that children can get addicted to gambling involves the popular loot boxes and skins of weapons or other customization aesthetics that are available for popular video games. Such virtual items can be traded online via video game casinos. In addition to trading, those items can be exchanged for currency that can be used for gambling activities.

The latest report told the story of Steven, a young adult who is now 24 but started gambling online when he was 10 years old. He explained that online video game casinos enable gamers to gamble with their skins or loot boxes, exchanging them for currency that can be used for gambling. Additionally, Steven revealed that gamers who lose all their items can simply buy more and continue to gamble. “It completely circumvents the 18-plus age requirement for gambling. I started gambling when I was 10 using these sites,” he said.

In Steven’s case, the underage gambling activities grew to online gambling and addiction when he was 15. At the time, he said he lost some AU$2,000. According to him, the addiction to gambling pushed him into drug use along with other mental health issues he is just beginning to resolve.

The recent report comes at a time when Australia is actively seeking to implement changes to the gambling sector. Last month, lawmakers announced the introduction of new ID laws, seeking to reduce underage gambling and curb gambling harm. Under the new regulations, users online will be required to present ID cards before they can engage in gambling.

Another change that seeks to reduce the exposure of children to gambling-like activities is the classification of gambling games and loot boxes. The initiative seeks to restrict the access of children to games with gambling-like elements, including simulated gambling and social casino games.

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Australia’s new ID laws will require bettors to present their ID cards before being able to play online. The new measure replaces the previous system where bettors had a 72-hour window to prove their identity.

Unlike before, gamblers will now be unable to place any bets or make deposits before showing their identity card. 

According to Responsible Wagering Australia, an independent peak body for Australian-licensed wagering service providers, this new measure would mitigate certain problems such as underage gambling or gambling harm.

By asking for ID before allowing consumers to play, companies will effectively prevent efforts to circumvent their social responsibility protocols. As a result, operators will be able to identify underage individuals or self-excluded players, stopping them from placing bets.

According to Kai Cantwell, Responsible Wagering Australia’s chief executive officer, over 90% of his organization’s members already verify customers’ identities. The change, he said, would bring the remaining companies up to standard.

The Measure Would Prevent Fraud

Cantwell also noted that the verification process will help companies advertise their safer gambling tools by prompting them to set a deposit limit when they register. Raising awareness of the player protection tools available to consumers has been considered an important step to achieving a safer gambling market where betting is enjoyed responsibly.

Cantwell added that the new ID verification system will prevent fraud:

This measure is also an important mechanism to mitigate money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

Kai Cantwell, CEO, Responsible Wagering Australia

Cantwell argued that the ID verification regulation should be applied to all gambling services, not just the online ones.

Australia’s Gambling Laws Evolve

Australia’s gambling regulations continue to evolve as the country seeks to reduce problem gambling rates and protect its citizens from harm. Recently, Australia also pushed for age classification for games offering simulated gambling, such as loot boxes. As a result, such games will be forced to block minors from accessing such content starting September 2024. 

In New South Wales, gambling companies are preparing to trial cashless gaming, which, many believe, would help the state reduce problem gambling and gambling fraud rates. It is now up to Liquor & Gaming NSW and its partners to prove that the measure works to skeptics.

The NSW government also recently allocated AUD 100 million to combat gambling harm in the state.

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Loot boxes are a part of many popular modern video games. The feature offers an activity that is similar to a game of chance where players can open, unlock or break a loot box and receive a random prize. Australia is the latest country to implement changes related to loot boxes as a part of important regulations that are set to come into effect next September.

Michelle Rowland, Australia’s Minister for Communications, revealed that the Albanese government remains committed to reducing gambling harm and this includes restricting access to games with gambling-like elements by children. She confirmed that a proposal calling for a mandatory minimum classification for gambling-like content as a part of video games was recently greenlighted.

As a part of the changes, which are going to come into effect as of September 2024, games that contain simulated gambling, including social casino games, would receive an R18+ restricted classification. This classification means that users under the age of 18 would not be able to legally access such content. Moreover, the R18+ classification means that such products are not suitable for children.

In addition, the changes will implement an M-mature advisory classification for games that have payable features such as loot boxes and other in-game purchases. While the measure is advisory and not restrictive, it means that legal guardians and parents would be able to know that such products are associated with risks they need to consider before letting their children play. While the change will come into effect next September, it would not apply retrospectively.

Changes Seek to Protect Children from Gambling Harm and Addiction

According to Rowland, the changes to video game classification come after a three-week public consultation that was completed earlier this year. In May 2020, the Neville Stevens Review recommended such classification to the former government in Australia. Now, Rowland said, the Albanese government is taking appropriate action, following the recommendation in an effort to protect children from harms related to gambling-like content.

“We know there is a growing community concern about children being exposed to gambling-like features in games.“

Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications in Australia

The Minister for Communications acknowledged that video games expose children to features similar to gambling, which raises concerns about harm and addiction. A link between games with gambling-like features and problem gambling and other forms of harm was found in research by the Australian Institute of Family Studies. According to Rowland, the changes seek to help Australians make informed decisions about the content that is suitable for their children.

Australia isn’t the only country to impose regulations for loot boxes. This summer, the government in the UK urged the gaming sector to implement strict guidelines in order to protect the players. Overall, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport published and developed 11 different principles related to loot boxes.

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The government of Australia has finally tabled the much discussed legislation which will ban the use of credit cards for online gambling in the country. The respective piece of legislation is called “The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2023” and it also seeks to ban other credit-related products from being used as payment methods for iGaming.

The bill also proposes stiff penalties for operators that won’t enforce the ban, with fines going all the way up to 234,750 Australian dollars. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is set to receive expanded powers following this bill in order to enforce these penalties.

However, the amendment has not yet passed into law. When it does, there will be a six-month transition period both for the online gambling industry and for the consumers. The bill will become effective immediately once it receives Royal Assent.

The use of credit cards for gambling has already been banned at land-based facilities in Australia, and everybody expected the government to expand that measure to the online world as well.

Michelle Rowland, the Minister of Communications in Australia’s government, issued a simple explanation for the reasoning behind this ban: “people should not be betting with money they do not have.” The minister added that this measure is expected to “protect vulnerable Australians” against gambling harm.

A Long Journey

Banning the use of credit cards for gambling has been a much-discussed topic in Australia for a few years now. The measure was recommended by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services in November 2021, but it was proposed by other entities before.

The Australian Banking Association hosted a consultation on credit cards in gambling in 2019, and from 2020 more and more people called for the government to act following the successful introduction of a credit card gambling ban in Great Britain. At that time the most powerful online casino operators in the country, grouped in Responsible Wagering Australia, said they would support such a ban.

While the government was consulting with stakeholders to draft the amendment bill, certain entities opted to enforce such a ban on their own. Bank Australia for instance, a consumer-owned banking group, set up such a ban in October 2021.

In addition to this bill, the government is also expected to introduce mandatory customer pre-verification by the end of September. The Australian government is also considering other recommendations issued by a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and discuss other potential measures by the end of 2023.

Source: “Australia to ban credit cards for iGaming“. Sigma. September 13, 2023.

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Electronic table games specialist Spintec announced a new partnership with Konami Australia. The deal will see the latter company distribute the former company’s products in Australia and New Zealand. Signed on July 6, the agreement marks an important step for Spintec’s growth in these two markets.

As one of the largest producers and distributors of gaming products in the world, Konami will help Spintec establish a significant presence in Australia and New Zealand, in line with the supplier’s international growth strategy.

At first, Konami will leverage the X-series protocol to provide Spintec products to clubs in the Australian state of New South Wales. As agreed, the two parties will expand the distribution deal to cover other Australian states in the future.

Spintec Hails Konami as an Ideal Partner

Spintec’s chief executive officer, Goran Miškulin, said that he believes Konami is an “ideal partner for distribution” in Australia and New Zealand. He lauded the deal as a major milestone for his company.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for our business, as it not only validates the quality of our products but also opens up new opportunities for growth and expansion in a promising market like Australia.

Goran Miškulin, CEO, Spintec

Gerard Crosby, Konami Australia’s general manager of product development, echoed Miškulin’s sentiments, also sharing his team’s delight to join forces with Spintec. He praised the company for its unparalleled electronic table games, saying that they have huge potential in Australia.

We are confident that we can help Spintec achieve their sales ambitions in this market.

Gerard Crosby, general manager of product development, Konami Australia

In March, Konami licensed facial recognition technology to Independent Gaming.

Konami and Spintec to Participate in Australasian Gaming Expo 2023

Konami and Spintec are set to be showcasing their products at the upcoming Australasian Gaming Expo 2023. Products from the latter company will be showcased at Konami’s stand, allowing visitors to learn more.

The two parties believe that the event will be a good occasion to showcase their current alliance. Spintec’s global sales director, Goran Sovilj, shared his thoughts on the matter, expressing his excitement about the Australasian Gaming Expo 2023.

They [Konami] are an important player in the gaming market and it will be exciting to be included in their sales activities. We believe that taking part in the show with a partner like Konami will be a turning point for our presence in Australia.

Goran Sovilj, global sales director, Spintec

In other news, last year, Konami agreed to power Pariplay Fusion with content.

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