Latest News
AUSTRAC and Pacific Financial Intelligence Units Gather in Brisbane to Tackle Financial Crime in the Region
Identifying ways to combat serious financial crime is the key focus when financial intelligence units (FIUs) from across the Pacific meet in Brisbane.
Representatives from 13 Pacific nations are gathering for the Pacific Financial Intelligence Community (PFIC) plenary, which is hosted by AUSTRAC.
The three-day event, which is now going on, provides a valuable opportunity for FIUs to further explore initiatives to fight financial crime. These include joint operations, intelligence sharing, capacity-building activities and region-wide technological enhancements.
Since last year’s meeting in the Cook Islands, PFIC members have focused their efforts on combating transnational organised crime, corruption and child sexual exploitation. AUSTRAC has worked with FIUs to ensure they have the training and capabilities required to proactively identify and tackle these crimes.
As well as ongoing themes such as money laundering, this year’s meeting will also address emerging issues such as illicit use of cryptocurrency, new payment platforms and gambling in the region.
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said PFIC is a good example of the value strong regional partnerships bring to combating money laundering and other serious financial crime.
“As Australia’s financial intelligence unit, we’re not just focused on ensuring the security of Australia’s financial system, we also have a key role to play in working with our neighbours to combat the harms posed by criminal networks across the region,” Mr Thomas said.
“To put it into perspective, behind each of these crimes are people who are left devastated by the impacts of online scams, child sexual exploitation, environmental crimes or drug trafficking.
“PFIC was established by AUSTRAC and other regional partners in 2021 to promote greater collaboration among Pacific FIUs, and we’re so proud of the outcomes it’s already delivered.”
The Head of the Cook Islands FIU and outgoing Co-Chair of the PFIC, Mr Walter Henry, said he’s honoured to have played a leading role in PFIC over the last two years.
“Serious financial crime affects all of our nations, so we must work together to combat threats which undermine our financial security and community safety,” Mr Henry said.
“The PFIC has proven to be a vital channel for sharing intelligence, for working on capability enhancements and for staying across emerging threats and developments in technology.”
The Attorney-General will address the conference, to speak about Australia’s commitment to building strong regional partnerships to combat transnational financial crime, and ongoing efforts to strengthen Australia’s anti-money laundering system.
Representatives from the financial intelligence units of Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu will be in attendance.
AUSTRAC is the permanent Co-Chair of the forum. The Head of the Fiji FIU is scheduled to take on the rotating Co-Chair position at the end of this plenary meeting.
The post AUSTRAC and Pacific Financial Intelligence Units Gather in Brisbane to Tackle Financial Crime in the Region appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News
Red Bull Home Ground Heads to New York this November
- Red Bull Home Ground storms into its fifth year, bringing the world’s top VALORANT teams and rising stars to Manhattan, New York, from November 13 to 16.
- A lineup of international powerhouses – including invited teams and qualifier champions – will battle it out in an intense off-season showdown.
- Defending champions T1 will aim to retain their crown, against giants including Fnatic, Sentinels, ZETA DIVISION, and G2 Esports, with more teams to be determined through the global Play-In stage and invites.
- Leading gaming monitor brand AGON by AOC returns as official Monitor Partner for Red Bull Home Ground, delivering high-performance displays to support peak gameplay throughout the tournament.
- Tickets are available for purchase via Ticketmaster
Red Bull Home Ground, the pro VALORANT invitational, is set to make its return with a blockbuster fifth edition, bringing together the world’s top teams to New York City, for one of the most exciting showcases in the esports calendar. From November 13–16, the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center will host four electrifying days of competition, as global giants and rising stars fight to claim the title of 2025 off-season champions.
This year, Red Bull Home Ground will feature a stacked lineup of elite contenders. Returning champions T1 are ready to defend their crown, joined by two-time VCT Global Event winners Fnatic and fan-favourites G2 Esports, Sentinels, and ZETA DIVISION. Joining these giants will be the two top teams who earn their place through the Play-In Stage and an additional team to be revealed – a gauntlet of global qualifiers open to all in India, USA, Spain, Turkey, Chile, Egypt, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, Netherlands, Japan, and EMEA qualifiers, giving players around the world the chance to earn a spot to go against the best-of-the-best on the main stage. The final main stage slot will be revealed at a later date.
For the first time, the Red Bull Home Ground World Final will be hosted in the United States, taking place at the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. Known for its grand Beaux-Arts architecture and storied history hosting icons like The Grateful Dead and Guns N’ Roses, the venue offers a perfect blend of classic New York legacy and modern spectacle for this high-stakes tournament. The action kicks off on November 13-14, with both days dedicated exclusively to the Play-in stage and the opening stages of the competition. For fans eager to experience the action live, tickets for the public main stage event on November 15-16 are available for purchase via Ticketmaster.
At last year’s Red Bull Home Ground in Berlin, fans were treated to an unforgettable grand final as T1 stormed to victory over Cloud9, clinching the championship title with a dominant 3-1 series. With every edition, Red Bull Home Ground has elevated the VALORANT off-season calendar, known for its fast-paced format, jaw-dropping plays, and international flair. Red Bull Home Ground continues to be a staple tournament for pro teams looking to compete against the best competition and for fans ready to witness thrilling match-ups.
Watch Red Bull Home Ground live from 13 – 16 November via Red Bull Gaming’s Twitch and YouTube channels.
For tickets and more information, visit: ticketmaster.com/promo/p7pf2b
The post Red Bull Home Ground Heads to New York this November appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
ACR POKER TO AWARD MULTIPLE PACKAGES TO $1 MILLION GTD ENJOY POKER SERIES MAIN EVENT THIS AUGUST IN URUGUAY
16 all-expenses-paid packages up for grabs in two satellites on Sunday, June 29th and July 6th
ACR Poker is heading back to beautiful Punta Del Este, Uruguay this August for the Enjoy Poker Series and once again it is giving players the chance to win their way to the huge $1 million GTD Main Event via online satellites.
A whopping 16 all-expenses-paid Main Event packages, worth $5,500 each, will be awarded in two Punta del Este Satellites taking place on Sunday, June 29th (eight packages) and Sunday, July 6th (eight packages) at 5:05pm ET on ACR Poker. That’s a total of $88,000 worth of guaranteed value. To get involved, players can buy-in for just $95 or qualify for free by ranking on the Beast weekly leaderboard.
Each $5,500 package includes the buy-in to the $1 million GTD Main Event, a 10-night hotel stay at the Enjoy Punta del Este Resort & Casino from August 1st to 11th, travel expenses, and a host of epic poker and off-felt experiences.
“There’s nothing like the energy of a live poker event, especially the Enjoy Poker Series in stunning Uruguay,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “These online satellites give every player the chance to turn a small investment into a world-class live poker experience. It’s your shot to win big, travel in style, and play alongside some of the best in the game.”
The Enjoy Poker Series takes place from August 1st to 9th, offering players the very best of live poker in beachfront luxury. Beyond poker, players can enjoy pristine beaches, fine dining, and epic nightlife at the Punta del Este Resort & Casino, located along Uruguay’s breathtaking Atlantic Coast.
Moneymaker also noted that before the first Punta del Este Satellite kicks off this Sunday at 5:05pm ET, players can still join the final Vegas Main Event Satellite at 2:05pm ET that same day. The Vegas satellite guarantees 10 packages worth $12,500 each and offers players one last shot at an unforgettable trip to Sin City to compete on poker’s biggest stage against the world’s best players.
For further details on the Punta Del Este Satellites, read the ACR Poker Blog or visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER TO AWARD MULTIPLE PACKAGES TO $1 MILLION GTD ENJOY POKER SERIES MAIN EVENT THIS AUGUST IN URUGUAY appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Potomac Poker Open Returns to MGM National Harbor August 13-25
The Potomac Poker Open is going all in at MGM National Harbor, August 13-25.
The region’s leading poker tournament is set to take over the premier entertainment destination for 13 days of exciting events and major winnings. Featured events include seven $750,000 guaranteed Opener tournaments and a $1,000,000 Main Event. Additional events include Cakes Classic Bounty, No Limit Hold’em High Roller, Charity Series of Poker (CSOP), Double Stack No Limit Hold’em, five Mixed Game events and more.
MGM National Harbor Potomac Poker Open Schedule
Date | Day | Event | # | Time | Event | ||||
Aug 13 | Wed | 1 | 12PM | Pride of the Lions Freeroll (2 High Roller/2 Main Event/5 Opener Seats) |
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Aug 13 | Wed | 2A | 3PM | NLH Opener Day 2A (2-Day Event) $750,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 14 | Thurs | 2B | 10AM | NLH Opener Day 2B (2-Day Event) $750,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 14 | Thurs | 3 | 1PM | ROSE (1-Day Event)
$10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 14 | Thurs | 2C | 5PM | NLH Opener Day 2C (2-Day Event) $750,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 14 | Thurs | 8PM | Event 1 Milestone Satellite | ||||||
Aug 15 | Fri | 2D | 10AM | NLH Opener Day 2D (2-Day Event) $750,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 15 | Fri | 2E | 5PM | NLH Opener Day 2E (2-Day Event)
$750,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 15 | Fri | 8PM | Event 1 Milestone Satellite | ||||||
Aug 16 | Sat | 2F | 9AM | NLH Opener Day 2F (2-Day Event) $750,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 16 | Sat | 2G | 2PM | NLH Opener Day 2G (2-Day Event) $750,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 16 | Sat | 4 | 6PM | 5 Card Omaha Bounty (1-Day Event) $10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 17 | Sun | 5 | 9AM | Super Seniors (60+) (1-Day Event) $10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 17 | Sun | 12PM | Event 2 NHL Opener Restart |
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Aug 17 | Sun | 6 | 1PM | NHL (1-Day Event) $100,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 17 | Sun | 7 | 6PM | NHL Turbo (1-Day Event) Black Chip Bounty |
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Aug 18 | Mon | 8A | 11AM | Monumental Stacks 8A (2-Day Event) $150,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 18 | Mon | 9 | 2PM | 8 Game Mix (1-Day Event) $10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 18 | Mon | 8PM | High Roller Super Satellite w/ $140 Rebuys
3 Seats Guaranteed |
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Aug 19 | Tues | 8B | 11AM | Monumental Stacks 8B (2-Day Event) $150,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 19 | Tues | 10 | 2PM | Mixed PLO (1-Day Event) $10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 19 | Tues | 8PM | High Roller Super Satellite w/ $140 Rebuys
3 Seats Guaranteed |
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Aug 20 | Wed | 11AM | Monumental Stacks Day 2 Restart |
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Aug 20 | Wed | 11 | 10AM | Seniors NHL 50+ (1-Day Event) $30,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 20 | Wed | 12 | 2PM | NHL High Roller (2-Day Event) $100,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 20 | Wed | 13 | 3PM | Mirror Mystery Bounty (1-Day Event) $10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 20 | Wed | 8PM | Main Event Super Satellite w/ $140 Rebuys
10 Seats Guaranteed |
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Aug 21 | Thurs | 14 | 10AM | 40/40/40 (Single Re-Entry) (2-Day Event)
$40,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 21 | Thurs | 1PM | NLH High Roller Day 2 Restart |
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Aug 21 | Thurs | 15 | 4PM | NLH (2-Day Event)
$50,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 21 | Thurs | 6PM | Main Event Super Satellite w/ $140 Rebuys 10 Seats Guaranteed |
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Aug 22 | Fri | 16A | 11AM | NLH Main Event 16A (3-Day Event)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 22 | Fri | 12PM | 40/40/40 Day 2
$40,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 22 | Fri | 17 | 2PM | PLO 8 (1-Day Event)
$10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 22 | Fri | 2PM | NHL Day 2
$50,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 22 | Fri | 18 | 4PM | Cakes Classic Bounty NLH
$10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 22 | Fri | 6PM | Main Event Super Satellite w/ $140 Rebuys
5 Seats Guaranteed |
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Aug 23 | Sat | 19 | 9AM | NLH Freezeout (1-Day Event)
$10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 23 | Sat | 16B | 11AM | NLH Main Event 16B (3-Day Event)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 23 | Sat | 20 | 2PM | BIG-O (1-Day Event)
$10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 23 | Sat | 21 | 2PM | Womens NLH (1-Day Event)
$10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 23 | Sat | 22 | 6PM | Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) w/ $100 Rebuys
$40 from each player donated to charity |
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Aug 24 | Sun | 12PM | NLH Main Event Day 2
Restart |
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Aug 24 | Sun | 23 | 2PM | NLH (1-Day Event)
$50,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 25 | Mon | 24 | 11AM | Double Stack NLH (1-Day Event)
$10,000 Guaranteed |
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Aug 25 | Mon | 1PM | NLH Main Event Day 3
Final Table |
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To view the event schedule or for more information visit mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com/en/casino/potomac-poker-open.html
MGM National Harbor no longer withholds any auto-gratuity from the buy-in for staff. In lieu of withholding, each event will offer an optional Add-On, included in the total Buy-In listed on the schedule. Starting stacks represented, include the optional add-on. Please see individual structure sheets for a complete breakdown. Must be 21+. Please play responsibly, for help visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The post Potomac Poker Open Returns to MGM National Harbor August 13-25 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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