The Star Entertainment Group announced that it has formalized the previously announced aspects of the arrangements agreed in principle with the NSW Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, securing the company’s jobs commitment and cashless trial.

In line with the initial agreement from August 11, 2023, The Star entered into a Jobs Guarantee Agreement with the state of New South Wales and the United Workers Union. As a result, the casino giant agreed to maintain a minimum headcount and certain ratios of full-time, part-time and casual employees at its The Star Sydney casino.

The job guarantee is valid until June 30, 2030, the company added. It also mentioned that the commitment is still subject to certain permitted adjustments in specific circumstances.

As per the newest additions to the Casino Control Act 1992 (NSW), The Star risks penalties if it fails to comply with the jobs commitment it agreed to.

In the meantime, The Star also officialized a formal trial of cashless and carded play at its The Star Sydney property. This trial comes as New South Wales seeks to modernize its gambling industry and prevent gambling-related fraud.

Cashless gaming and carded play will be trialed at NSW casinos from August 2024, allowing the state to see whether they have the intended effect.

The Star Sydney, for example, seeks to allow its guests to play cashless on 51 poker machines and 8 gaming tables within its Sovereign Room.

The Star’s group chief executive officer and managing director, Robbie Cooke, commented on the formalization of the aforementioned agreements labeling the engagement with the NSW Government as very constructive. He added that The Star is happy to have reached these arrangements and be able to provide security to its team in Sydney.

According to Cooke, The Star is bullish on reacquiring NSW’s trust in the wake of the recent regulatory failings.

As we continue to focus on earning back the trust of the Page 2 of 2 community and implementing the reforms required to restore The Star to suitability, we are also committed to the continuation of our role as a valuable contributor to the NSW economy.

Robbie Cooke, group CEO & MD, The Star

Three weeks ago, The Star also introduced new regulations to prevent excessive gambling. Effective as of January 31, the new rules include a mandatory 15-minute break every three hours and a limit of 28 hours of gaming per week. Players will also be unable to play more than 12 hours a day.

The introduction of the new rules followed an AUD 100 million fine in Queensland.

The post Star Entertainment Formalizes NSW Jobs Guarantee, Cashless Gaming Trial appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Liquor & Gaming New South Wales announced it would substantially expand its cashless gambling trial, expressing hope for the program’s success amid rising interest from clubs and other venues. This update bodes well for the Australian province, which suffers from record problem gambling rates and still struggles to regulate unscrupulous businesses.

The Government Will Collect Valuable Data

Cashless gaming has been one of the hot topics of the gambling industry in the Australian state for nearly a year. Many believe that the statewide implementation of the technology will help to prevent gambling-related fraud while protecting at-risk consumers from harm. Liquor & Gaming NSW has also remained optimistic, organizing the trial to test cashless gaming’s real-world viability.

July saw the government appoint Michael Foggo, a former liquor, gaming, and racing commissioner, to lead a panel of 16 industry representatives and reform advocates who will oversee the trial. This group will report its findings back to the government by November 2024. Premier Chris Minns has pledged transparency, stating that the panel’s findings will be publicly available.

The trial will involve collecting data from the machines, analyzing the effects on patrons, and will evaluate the impact on club and hotel employees. This in-depth review will also assess infrastructure requirements and potential costs, forming a comprehensive picture of cashless gaming. If successful, the government pledged to prioritize implementing the measure.

Cashless Gaming Enjoys Substantial Industry Support

Gambling Minister David Harris lauded the trial’s expansion, highlighting that it encompassed nine times more machines than the initial proposal. He was optimistic regarding the rising number of clubs showing interest in participating, hoping this fact reflected a genuine commitment by the entertainment industry to tackle gambling harm and money laundering.

The industry is clearly behind us as we undergo these landmark gaming reforms as part of our commitment to addressing money laundering and gambling harm in NSW.

David Harris, NSW Gambling Minister

The regional government’s unwavering commitment is a welcome sign for NSW residents who have lost AUD 8.07 billion ($5.42 billion) to poker machines in the last financial year, representing a worrisome 23.7% increase from 2018-19. These statistics underscore the urgent need for decisive action within the state and place substantial hope in the success of the cashless gambling trials.

Despite facing frequent criticisms for their lack of decisiveness, the NSW government has made substantial progress in the last few months. The state’s new ban on external gambling signs has been among its most successful initiatives, as a recent probe uncovered that nearly 99% of the inspected pubs and clubs complied with the new regulations. One can only hope that cashless gaming will enjoy the same results.

The post NSW Significantly Bolsters the Scope of Its Cashless Gambling Trial appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Liquor & Gaming New South Wales announced that it will be responsible for overseeing the upcoming cashless gaming technology trial in the Australian state and invited industry bodies to participate. Hosted by The Independent Panel on Gaming Reform, the trial will explore the potential of cashless systems to change gambling in NSW.

According to the announcement the panel has now issued invitations for venues and technology providers to apply to participate in the trial.

Applicants should meet certain standards and must be committed to protecting the market from harm and fraud, the regulator explained.

Applicants should meet the minimum requirements set by the Independent Panel to take part in the cashless gaming trial, including harm minimization protections, anti-money laundering protections, and data security and privacy protections, and specific requirements for venues.

Liquor & Gaming NSW statement

Companies have until October 13 to apply for the trial.

The Trial Will Help NSW See If Cashless Gaming Is Worth Investing In

Cashless gaming has been one of the hot topics of the gambling industry in the Australian state for several months now. Many believe that the statewide implementation of the technology will help to prevent gambling-related fraud while protecting at-risk consumers from harm.

However, certain parties, including local industry groups, remain skeptical of the technology and its potential, with many arguing that it may prove to be nothing more than an expensive risk.

In any case, Liquor & Gaming NSW wants to give cashless gaming a chance and see if the technology can usher in a new era of compliance. The trials will help the authority assess how the solutions operate in practice.

An independent researcher will evaluate the effectiveness of cashless gaming by leveraging customized research methodologies.

Liquor & Gaming NSW hopes that the research will lead to a change in player behaviors, mitigating harm and preventing illicit activities.

Cashless gaming trial runs will run for three or more months, allowing the regulator and independent researcher to gather enough data.

A few days ago, the NSW government allocated $100 million to combat gambling harm as the state seeks to reduce the problem gambling rates. The investment came from the redirection of fines imposed on Star Casino.

The investment is notably a part of the Minns Labor Government Budget and reflects a dedication to preventing gambling harm and gambling-related crime.

The post NSW Prepares to Test Cashless Gaming, Invites Companies to Participate in the Trial appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Spearheading the drive towards comprehensive gaming reforms, the panel tackled pressing issues, including the imminent cashless gaming trial and the roadmap for the industry’s transformation.

Panel’s Commitment to Cashless Gaming Framework Lauded by Minister

Minister for gaming and racing, David Harris, expressed his satisfaction with the Independent Panel’s commitment to meticulously craft the framework for the upcoming cashless gaming trial. The trial, which has garnered significant attention, aims to revolutionize the gaming landscape by introducing cashless transactions while ensuring robust data security and privacy safeguards.

Harris stated: “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.” 

The ambitious endeavor involves selecting the ideal mix of venues encompassing hotels and clubs across both urban and rural domains.

The panel, led by former NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing Commissioner Michael Foggo, will also furnish the NSW Government with a comprehensive gaming reform implementation roadmap by November 2024. This roadmap encompasses various facets, including recommendations on the utilization of a $100 million harm minimization fund, the expansion of self-exclusion records, the facilitation of third-party exclusions, and the integration of facial recognition technology to support enhanced exclusion systems.

Independent Panel’s Scope Expands to ClubGRANTS and Regulatory Revamp

The reform agenda does not encompass only that. The Independent Panel’s purview extends to reviewing the ClubGRANTS Scheme, conducted in coordination with Liquor & Gaming NSW, The Cabinet Office, and NSW Treasury. Although undertaken separately, this evaluation aligns with the panel’s ongoing efforts to reshape the gaming landscape. Chairman Michael Foggo affirmed:

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

This transformative journey follows a series of pivotal reforms already set in motion by the NSW Government. Measures like the prohibition of external signage in gaming rooms, reductions in poker machine entitlement caps, and stringent cash input limits have aimed to curtail gambling harm and combat illicit activities.

Furthermore, the reforms will also include a national gambling regulator and a ban on all forms of gambling advertising, with an emphasis on strengthening consumer protection and reducing harm. The move towards stricter regulations is fueled by a desire to better safeguard consumers and curb the negative impacts of gambling.

The post NSW Reform Panel Sets Agenda for Cashless Gaming Overhaul appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Graton Casino & Resort in Rohnert Park, California will have the opportunity to now issue a line of credit to its players through this new advanced product. The cashless credit offering by Marker Trax is touted as a sound way to ensure the growth and sustainability of the gaming industry.

Marker Trax Introduces Cashless Solutions to Graton Casino & Resort

Thanks to Marker Trax’s offer, the resort will significantly improve the experiences for its customers. The tech company is also going to look into improving the loyalty program and build and solidify its customer base. Commenting on this new opportunity, Marker Trax president Charlie Skinner added:

We’re particularly excited for this partnership with Graton, because not only do we have the opportunity to help bring another operator into the cashless credit realm, but we’re also in the unique position of helping them introduce credit at their resort for the very first time.

Marker Trax president Charlie Skinner

Graton Resort & Casino president and general manager Lana Rivera has welcomed this opportunity and said that with the introduction of the Resort Wallet and Fast Funds by Marker Trax guests will be able to access credit and cash while enjoying their gambling activities uninterrupted.

“One of the central innovations we can offer our guests is the ability to easily and efficiently obtain credit while using a digital wallet system, and Marker Trax has helped us achieve both,” Rivera added.

Streamlining the User Experience and Boosting Loyalty

The partnership has another important implication as this is the first time that Marker Trax has integrated its product with the Mobile+, Powered by Joingo solution. Marker Trax makes it easy to provide advanced payment and gaming options for customers of casinos.

Graton Resort & Casino is also happy to benefit from the collaboration, becoming an ambassador for cashless solutions that have been known to significantly boost the comfort of players. Then again, the property is not going to phase out cash, but use these digital solutions as a complementary offer.

Marker Trax previously signed a partnership with Table Trac to introduce cashless payment. The deal also involved Koin Payments.

The post Marker Trax Introduces Cashless Credit to Graton Casino & Resort appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The partnership makes the casino the first property to implement Koin Payments’ cashless solution in the region and offer an improved wagering experience that is based on the latest trends in the industry.

Northern Nevada Rolls Out First Cashless Casino Technology

Adopting cashless has long been seen as a controversial decision for various reasons – fears about privacy, security, and even ending cash payments as such. The debate has shifted significantly over the past years, and cashless is now seen as a complementary payment solution and not a method seeking to supplant existing methods.

Koin Payments President Gary Larkin has welcomed the opportunity to team up with Baldini’s Casino, hailing the casino’s track record as a property that embraces innovation and champions it through various solutions:

With its loyal local customer base, Baldini’s was a natural place to introduce this technology in the Reno-Sparks area. In working together to promote the values of cashless gaming, we believe we generate increased player loyalty while enhancing the customer’s casino experience.

Koin Payments President Gary Larkin

Nevada has been particularly receptive to this type of innovation, too. Baldini’s Casino has an established track record of adopting cutting-edge technology and championing solutions such as digital tech that are designed to streamline the on-site guest experience. With the adoption of Koin’s solution, Baldini’s continues to establish itself as a trendsetter in leading in the way of new and consumer-centric experiences.

Recognizing What Players Want and Delivering It

Thanks to Koin’s mobile wallet, casino customers will have the opportunity to fund their accounts using a number of payment options, including bank transfers, bank cards, Venmo, ACH, and even cash at retail locations, making the process of depositing and playing at properties that have adopted the cashless technology, including Baldini’s Casino, streamlined and excellent for the end customer.

Baldini’s owner J. Grant Lincoln was similarly pleased with the opportunity to see this partnership form. He said:

Digital payment solutions are the next step in the evolution of gaming and we’re excited to work with Koin to integrate those solutions for our customers. We recognize what our customers want and then deliver it.

Baldini’s owner J. Grant Lincoln

Koin’s payment wallet also focuses on providing players with an intuitive spend-tracking function that focuses on responsible gambling by empowering consumers to know how much exactly they have put down on playing at a property.

The solution also comes with a feature that allows agreeing parties to send each other funds, so that friends can help top up each other’s accounts if they want to. All of this is controlled through a mobile device, which makes the solution easy to use, and offers customers a well-rounded digital payment experience altogether.

Baldini and other partner operators also benefit from an account management system and a reduction of their retail transaction fees. All in all, this partnership is hailed as an important milestone in the evolution of cashless payments in the region and beyond.

The post Koin Payments Ushers In Cashless Gaming in Northern Nevada with Baldini’s Casino appeared first on Keno Wizard.