Australia
Australian Gaming Regulator Agrees Loot Boxes Constitute Gambling
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) of Australia has also spoken about the debate concerning the gambling nature of loot boxes in video games which has recently made headlines and is in agreement that loot boxes constitute gambling.
Loot boxes made headlines this month after Star Wars: Battlefront II was released to the public on November 17.
Loot boxes are prize packs that contain randomized items that could boost the player’s performance or alter the cosmetic appearance of their character. Players could purchase these loot boxes for a price.
Ever since the launch, a number of gambling regulators in different parts of the world called the loot box system a form of gambling, since there is money and stakes involved in the game. The Belgian Gaming Commission, the Netherlands Gaming Authority and the US State of Hawaii were some of the first agencies to start investigations against these loot boxes and call out the developer, Electronic Arts(EA) for trivializing gambling and making it accessible to minors who are playing the Star Wars game.
TomoNews US
State representative Chris Lee of Hawaii even went as far as calling Battlefront II, a themed online casino designed to prey on younger and vulnerable kids, and encourage them to spend money on the hopes that it would improve their gameplay. The Victorian gambling regulator has also investigated loot boxes and based on their findings confirm that loot boxes fall very much into the gambling category as defined by Victorian legislation.
Similar findings and investigation efforts are being conducted by the Victorian gambling regulator in Australia as well.
Jarrod Wolfe, a Strategic Analyst for the Compliance Division at VCGLR stated that the normalization of gambling mechanics in such venues where minors are largely involved is legally questionable. VCGLR should technically be taking action against these loot boxes because they can be classified as gambling but the Victorian regulator is limited by their jurisdiction.
In a statement, Jarrod Wolfe said: “Unfortunately where the complexity arises is in jurisdiction and our powers to investigate. Legislation has not moved as quick as the technology; at both State and Federal level we are not necessarily equipped to determine the legality of these practices in lieu of the fact the entities responsible are overseas.“
VCGLR’s said that their hands are tied for now but one of the best things they can do at the moment is to work with the Australian Classification Board. Wolfe said that any game that uses the same predatory loot box mechanics could be automatically rated R in the market. An R rating in Australia means Restricted Exhibition and establishes that the product is suitable only for individuals who are 18 and above.
Australia
How to choose an online casino in Australia?
Online games have long occupied a firm place in the lives of many people. For someone it is a distraction from the constant routine of life, someone is just a fan of excitement and increased adrenaline in the blood, and many have long found in online casinos another method of financial gain. However, to get the reliable and comprehensive list of Australian gambling sites – you need to learn few things.
In today’s world, everything is changing so fast, everything moves at such a pace that it is very difficult to keep up with everything. And it has not the best effect on our lives and our behavior. Because it is always on the go, to solve dozens of questions at the same time, to try to cope with everything at once, and to meet certain deadlines is a hard struggle. If you live in such an incredible rhythm of life, without having a good rest it will never lead you to anything good.
If a full recreation is not for everyone (it can be costly), a little distraction at online casinos – may be your solution. It’s not necessary to play for money, you can try any casino games for free on websites like Toponlinecasinoaustralia.com. This is a nice full recreation. There is absolutely no need to go anywhere, you are at home, or at work, for example, during lunch break, you can afford the minute and distract yourself from mundane problems.
Choosing the best Australian casinos
If you do decide to play for money, the first thing you must do is to carefully examine the gambling site. The very first thing you should pay attention to – it’s of course the license, all the necessary data can always be found on the main page somewhere at the bottom (in the footer of the page). The presence of this document indicates that the site has been thoroughly checked by the relevant authorities, and you can deposit your funds with complete peace of mind. Because even if you have a dispute with the casino – the regulatory body will usually solve such disputes in favor of a player.
Also important are the reviews about the casino, you can read them in all kinds of forums, and you should always look at the ratings, but only those that were created by the players and not the affiliate companies.
Try as much as possible to learn about the attendance of the site, it too can provide you with valuable information, which in future will affect your choice of site for the game.
It’s also worth checking how long the site has been up to date, when a new game was added, because if the last update was, for example, six years ago, then this site is unlikely to be worth dealing with.
When during registration you will find information that informs you of the limitation on the withdrawal of winnings, it is better to immediately stop at this place and do not continue registration. So, this is a clear example of violation of player’s rights, no site can prohibit you in one way or another to withdraw your money.
And be sure to pay attention to the availability of support around the clock, there should not be any interruptions, you must be ready to help at any second.
In any case, the choice of the game is always up to the player, only you decide with which casino you want to try your luck, in any case, always try as much as possible to learn the necessary information. And only when the casino really proves to be bona fide, you can always get a lot of pleasure. And remember this is only a game, but it should always bring only positive moments.
Australia
Australian Gaming Statistics: A Market Overview
Australia is the largest country in Oceania, with over 26 million inhabitants. Although Sidney is perhaps the most-known city (due to the Opera House building), its capital is Canberra. The country is well-known for its massive biodiversity, including unique marsupials like kangaroo or koala.
Australia has a long term gambling tradition (it’s said that over 80% of the adult population bets in some way), and that combined with a wealth economy has always made the country an exciting market for gambling companies. About 1% of the population suffer from gambling addiction or other gambling-related health issues.
In 2019, the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office released the 35th edition of the “Australian Gambling Statistics,” a handbook that combines gambling stats for all Australian state and territory governments.
This document is a comprehensive guide that covers all forms of gambling in Australia, including pokies, sports betting, casino games, machines, etc. It breaks down the overall industry by game, state, revenue, etc. and it’s a crucial text for anyone interested in the gambling industry.
Australian Gambling Market: A Billionaire Industry
The total gambling expenditure in Australia increased by 5% in the last period up to $24.877 billion; and since 2009, the Aussie gambling industry turnover has grown by almost 30%, from $160,447,673 in the 2009-2010 period:
In the 2017-2018 period (the latest information available) the total gambling turnover was $218,818.729 million as follows:
- Racing: 11,79%;
- Gaming (casino, gaming machines, lottery): 82,9%;
- Sports Betting: 5,3%.
Within the “Gaming” category, a clear leader emerges: Gaming Machines accounts for $149,534.948 million, almost 70% of the total. No wonder why Slots have a local name in Australia: pokies.
The overall gambling industry grew by 4,9%, with drastic reductions of Interactive Gaming (prohibited) and Tab Tote Odds. Sports Betting has an outstanding behavior, with a growth of 14,9% in the last period.
In terms of Government revenue, growth has remained stable at around 5%, with the exception of the 2016-2017 period when the profits didn’t grow as a result of the market behavior. In 2018-2019, Australia secured $6,201,077, thanks to the gambling industry. The per capita government revenue from gambling was $321,98.
Period | Total Government Revenue |
2009-10 | $4.929.606 |
2010-11 | $5.283.089 |
2011-12 | $5.514.351 |
2012-13 | $5.492.321 |
2013-14 | $5.465.684 |
2014-15 | $5.788.956 |
2015-16 | $6.010.016 |
2016-17 | $5.941.977 |
2017-18 | $6.201.077 |
What about Australian online gambling?
Although online (interactive) gaming hasn’t been allowed since 2001, in a country with such a gambling tradition, it is almost impossible to avoid Internet betting, something that has led to the growth of a parallel online industry.
Some online casinos use advanced techniques to protect their customers like Fair Go Safe Login, and there are no scandals related to non-payment of profits.
It’s said that the online casino industry in Australia could boost government revenue by a large share. Still, for now, the laws restrict it mainly due to health issues related to gambling addiction.
Nevertheless, with the current regulation, the overall gambling industry expenditure represents more than $24 billion, and the gambling cost per adult is approximately $1,300. With such data, there are strong reasons to believe that Australia could soon change its laws to take more advantage of these incredible numbers.
Australia
GTGNetwork.com sign data and games deal with BetEasy
Agreement will see GTG Network.com deploy consumer-facing data platform with leading Australian bookmaker
Data and technology provider GTGnetwork.com (GTG) has signed a deal with BetEasy to deploy GTG’s iSport Genius product and software.
The ‘betting choice’ content-and-insights platform is designed to inform and educate customers about their choice of bet.
iSport Genius’ interactive consumer-facing platform leverages trillions of pieces of data, and via an intuitively designed interface creates a multitude of engaging calls to action and helps improve the overall experience for punters and sports fans alike.
Nathan Rothschild, co-founder and partner at GTGNetwork.com, said: “Our deal with BetEasy is recognition by another tier 1 operator of the value of our data platform and insights to sportsbooks and its customers. We’re delighted to be working closely with one of the leading operators in Australia.”
Martin Tripp, Chief Trading Officer for BetEasy said, “We’re constantly looking for ways to enhance our customers’ wagering experience and look forward to bringing this deal to life.”
Rothschild will be attending ICE 2020 before a trip throughout the US. If anyone wishes to arrange a meeting to see how GTG can enhance their sports offering, they should contact Nathan.
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