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    Online gambling

    July

    Tabcorp’s director of corporate affairs, Daniel Meers.

    Meet the lobbyists aiming to keep the gambling dollars rolling in

    With the Albanese government’s gambling ad policy still up in the air, the Financial Review looked at who’s been hitting the corridors of power for sports betting firms.

    • Ronald Mizen
    Beau Fermor and Jayden Campbell in the Gold Coast Titans’ 2024 jersey, which is sponsored by The Lottery Office

    ‘Concerning’ offshore lotteries, online keno face crackdown

    Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is assessing whether more regulation is required. 

    • Zoe Samios
    Online gambling accounts should display the amount of money that punters have won or lost to better inform problem gamblers, a technology entrepreneur has proposed.

    Betting apps should let gamblers know ‘if they’re up or down’

    Online gambling accounts should display the amount of money that punters have won or lost to better inform problem gamblers, a technology entrepreneur has proposed.

    • John Kehoe
    Perth’s Laurence Escalante who built Virtual Gaming Worlds into a multibillion-dollar business.

    Perth billionaire Escalante battles copycats and hostile letters in US

    The businessman created a lucrative gambling market stateside from scratch. Now competition and regulation may force the company to change tack.

    • Primrose Riordan

    June

    Gillon McLachlan has been appointed boss of Tabcorp.

    Market finds solace in McLachlan’s experience growing AFL bets

    But others, like David Pocock, are increasingly unhappy about the “nexus” between the powerhouse football code and major wagering companies like Tabcorp.

    • Zoe Samios
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    Global bookmaker Bet365 is in hot water with Communications Minister Michelle Rowland over credit card-backed deposits.

    Bet365 probed over credit card ban loophole

    The gambling regulator began making inquiries after The Australian Financial Review was able to deposit credit cards funds into Bet365 via third parties.

    • Ronald Mizen
    Australian NBA star Josh Giddey is proof of the US sports behemoth’s local strategy.

    How Australia became a big money-maker for the NBA

    NBA says Australia is the highest revenue-generating market for merchandise and its streaming service, NBA League Pass.

    • Zoe Samios

    May

    Stake.com founders Bijan Tehrani and Edward Craven.

    Stake.com billionaires buy more of local bookie Pointsbet

    Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani first bought shares in December through their fast-growing company EasyGo Gaming.

    • Zoe Samios
    A guitar-shaped hotel tower anchors the remade and expanded Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino near Hollywood, Florida.

    Star suitor Hard Rock knows a thing or two about the mass market

    If a deal proceeds, there’s every chance casinos in Sydney and Queensland will look very different. Just look at their guitar-shaped Florida palace.

    • Primrose Riordan and Zoe Samios
    Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the report about Sportsbet was ‘deeply concerning’.

    Labor slams the NRL’s ‘deeply concerning’ Sportsbet tie-up

    Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is deciding what to do with recommendations from an online gambling inquiry, including a blanket advertising ban.

    • Zoe Samios
    Laurence Escalante on one of his boats in Perth.

    Gambling mogul lists superyacht at $10m, starts retailing supercars

    A spokesman for Laurence Escalante’s private office said the sales were part of a new business venture.

    • Primrose Riordan

    April

    Matt Tripp’s Betr is merging with BlueBet, the companies announced today.

    Betr shakes off News Corp past and joins ASX in merger with BlueBet

    Matthew Tripp, the veteran bookmaker, and his co-investors will become the controlling shareholders of the combined group amid broader industry consolidation.

    • Zoe Samios
    Craig Williams rides Mr Brightside (white silks) to victory in the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.

    Flutter warns of Sportsbet headwinds as annual profits slide

    Sportsbet boss Barni Evans would not rule out job losses after parent company Flutter revealed the local offshoot’s financial results.

    • Zoe Samios

    March

    Tabcorp CEO Adam Rytenskild resigned following an investigation into his conduct.

    Tabcorp boss allegedly suggested sexual favour for regulatory win

    Adam Rytenskild resigned from the wagering group on Thursday, but said he did not recall making the comment, which was directed at a Victorian official.

    • Zoe Samios
    Tabcorp CEO Adam Rytenskild has abruptly left the company.

    Tabcorp chief executive resigns amid probe into offensive language

    Adam Rytenskild had run the wagering group since 2022. He said he did not recall making the comments but had “regrettably agreed to resign”.

    • Updated
    • Zoe Samios
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    Bet365 will be investigated by AUSTRAC.

    Bet365 under investigation by AUSTRAC

    The decision to investigate comes more than a year after AUSTRAC announced an independent audit of the bookmaker’s operations.

    • Zoe Samios

    February

    Bega publican Mitch Cleary.

    Bookie bar fight: the feud driving racing enthusiasts out of pubs

    The battle between Tabcorp and rival Entain, owner of Ladbrokes, has spilled over into NSW pubs, which are losing punters where the Sky Racing feed has been cut off.

    • Zoe Samios
    TAB Corp CEO Adam Rytenskild has blamed a major impairment on the NSW and South Australian government tax rates.

    Tabcorp blames states for $732m write-down as shares crash

    Shares fell more than 14 per cent on Thursday following the release of Tabcorp’s half-year results.

    • Zoe Samios
    Richard Marles, Anthony Albanese and Michelle Rowland.

    Labor rakes in $5m of ‘hidden money’ from big companies

    Payments from gambling giants like Sportsbet, Tabcorp and pokies outfit Endeavour accounted for a chunk of Labor’s pay-for-access packages sold to companies.

    • Ronald Mizen
    More than $23 billion in bets are expected to be taken at this year’s Super Bowl.

    This Aussie bookmaker is doing something different at the Super Bowl

    Aussie bookmakers have tried their luck in the US, but the cost makes it difficult to penetrate. Dabble is approaching it differently.

    • Zoe Samios