Australia’s gambling industry has been at the centre of some big news in recent weeks, from fines and blockades to potential billion-dollar deals and regulatory changes. In this digest – the most important and interesting about top casino Australia. We tell you who was penalised by ACMA, why AUSTRAC is shutting down inactive crypto exchanges, how PointsBet found itself between two purchase offers, and what the consequences of tax increases in the Northern Territory will be.
Australian Regulator Penalised PointsBet for Contacting Excluded Players
PointsBet Australia has been at the centre of a scandal – the company has been fined A$500,800 for breaching several rules, including spam emails and ignoring online casino self-exclusion requests.
What Happened
The Australian Communications and Media Regulator (ACMA) conducted an inspection of PointsBet’s activities. The results were disappointing: the operator not only sent marketing messages without users’ consent, but also contacted those who had officially opted out of online gambling.
The inspection covered the period from August to November 2023. During this time, more than 800 letters and SMS violating the current legislation were recorded. These included:
- 705 emails with links to rates were sent out with no option to unsubscribe;
- 90 SMS messages did not contain information about who sent them;
- 7 letters were sent without obtaining the recipient’s consent.
Worst of all, the 508 adverts were received by people who had pre-registered with the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER). This register is an important part of the protection system for those who decide to pause or completely abandon online betting. By law, licensed betting companies are not allowed to send any advertising to such users.
What the Regulator Thinks about It
ACMA head Nerida O’Locklin commented on the situation, emphasising that it is particularly worrying when Australian casino sites ignore users’ requests to restrict access to gambling:
“People who put themselves on a self-exclusion register are making a conscious effort to kick a bad habit. And no marketing campaign should interfere with that decision,” O’Locklin said.
How PointsBet Reacted
The company acknowledged the breaches and agreed to fulfil the obligations proposed by ACMA. Among them:
- Conducting an independent audit of all marketing processes;
- Adjustments to internal mailing systems;
- Regular training for employees on compliance with communications and advertising laws.
Context
Over the past year and a half, the ACMA has imposed fines for spam mailings totalling over A$14 million. Although no additional sanctions have yet been imposed on PointsBet, it could go to court in the future for repeated offences.
Why It’s Important
This story emphasises that the marketing activities of betting operators should not only be aggressive, but also ethical. People who decide to distance themselves from gambling and Australian casino sites should be sure that their choice will be respected. Otherwise, any talk about social responsibility remains empty words.
RWA Criticises Northern Territory Tax Hike: What Lies Ahead for the Online Betting Market
A sharp increase in the tax burden for online bookmakers in Australia’s Northern Territory has caused concern amongst the betting industry. Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), an organisation representing the interests of the largest legal operators, said that such measures, without discussion with the industry, could damage the region’s investment appeal.
What Happened
The Northern Territory Government has announced a doubling of the annual tax cap for licensed online betting operators (WSPs). The decision was included in the 2025-2026 budget, but was taken without consultation with market representatives. And this is particularly surprising given that the government’s review of the racing industry has yet to be finalised – it is the one that was supposed to set the strategy and regulation for the entire sector of Australian casino sites for the coming years.
Why It Raises Questions
RWA CEO Kai Cantwell openly stated that such a move undermines the entire review process. According to him, the authorities are acting against the dialogue that they themselves initiated. The lack of transparency and alignment with business calls into question the credibility of the local licensing system.
Online bookmakers operating under a Northern Territory licence make a significant contribution to the region’s economy each year. In the 2023 financial year alone, the industry brought in around $150 million. Of this amount, almost a third came from taxes and licence fees, with another $46 million in salaries for employees, most of whom live and work in the region. Moreover, almost 600 people are employed in highly skilled positions at the head offices of betting operators based in the Northern Territory. Including contractors and partners, the total number employed exceeds one thousand.
Why It’s Important for All of Australia
The issue of taxes in the betting industry and Australian casino sites is not a new one. Similar controversy has recently erupted in Queensland, which is also reviewing its tax policy on horse racing. The RWA warned at the time that excessive pressure could have the opposite effect: less betting, less tax and less money to fund racing events and social programmes.
Such measures, according to the organisation, can not only reduce business activity, but also strengthen the position of illegal offshore bookmakers that are not subject to Australian regulation. This jeopardises both the economy and the protection of players’ rights.
What Happens Next
The RWA is pushing for an open dialogue with the government and is calling for a more considered approach. Otherwise, the industry believes the Northern Territory risks losing its status as an attractive and stable centre for online betting licensing.
Betr Makes A Move to Buy Out PointsBet: Betting on a Full Merger
Betr has announced its intention to fully buy out PointsBet, offering to acquire the remaining shares it does not yet own. Betr now already has a 19.9 per cent stake, making it the largest shareholder. The deal is valued at A$360 million, with much of it in cash.
The deal involves a payment of AUD 260m in cash and a further AUD 100m via Betr corporate bonds. The offer is made in a Scheme of Arrangement format, i.e. with a binding vote of all PointsBet shareholders.
To raise the necessary amount, Betr tapped several funding sources. Among them:
- AUD 120 million loan from National Australian Bank;
- Partial sale of PointsBet Canada’s assets to Seminole Hard Rock Digital (subject to a number of conditions);
- Guaranteed to raise AUD 130m in new capital, of which Matt Tripp and Michael Sullivan – the current and former chairmen of BlueBet, which previously merged with Betr – put in AUD 20m.
Matt Tripp, Betr’s chairman, is confident: this proposal is the best thing on the table right now. He stresses that the company has taken into account all the comments that PointsBet outlined in its letter to shareholders on 3 April. These are about transparency of funding, potential synergies and control of audit timelines.
Context of the Situation
In February 2025, Japan’s Mixi also announced its intention to acquire PointsBet with an offer of AUD 353 million. But now Betr is coming out with a more ambitious option. According to the company, it is a “significantly more favourable” offer and gives PointsBet more value.
In addition, as the largest shareholder, Betr is going to vote against Mixi’s proposal, which could materially affect the outcome of the vote of all shareholders.
What Betr is Saying
Betr CEO Andrew Mentz emphasised that the deal paves the way for the company to strengthen its market position. The goal is to become one of the top 4 betting brands in Australia and take a stable share of 10-15% of the market.
He added that the savings potential has already been calculated: approximately AUD 40 million per year through consolidation and optimisation of operating costs. Such figures make the project more predictable and attractive to investors.
What This Means for the Market
If the Betr deal goes through, it will increase consolidation in the Australian casino sites market, which has been undergoing extensive restructuring in recent years. At the same time, competition between major players – including international players – is intensifying.
PointsBet Launches Betr Review: Whose Terms Will Prove More Favourable to Shareholders?
PointsBet, a well-known betting brand, has announced the start of a mutual review with Betr, a potential buyer of the company. There are now two offers on the table, one from Betr and the other from Japan’s Mixi. Both deals are valued at around A$360 million, and now the company’s management is trying to work out which one will benefit shareholders more.
In a statement, the PointsBet board said that after consulting with external specialists, the offer from Betr “could reasonably lead to more favourable terms” than the offer from Mixi. This was the reason for launching the due diligence process – a two-way review that will allow Betr and PointsBet to assess the prospects of the deal in more detail.
Particular attention will be paid to the financing structure: in Betr’s offer about 57% of the amount is cash, the rest is securities of Betr itself. In other words, the shareholders will receive part of the payment in cash and part in the form of shares in the new structure.
An important point: PointsBet shareholders do not have to make any decisions yet. The Board of Directors has promised to keep everyone informed and to recommend action only when the final and most favourable alternative becomes available.
It’s worth remembering that interest in buying PointsBet came after the company sold its US business to Fanatics and focused on the Australian casino sites market. This has now become a key area – and that is why the offers from Mixi and Betr concern the Australian part of the business.
Transactional Context:
- February 2025: Japanese company Mixi offered to acquire PointsBet for AUD 353 million;
- March 2025: Betr, which already owns 19.9 per cent of PointsBet, makes its AUD 360 million offer to fully buy out the remaining stake.
The PointsBet board has officially confirmed: despite the start of negotiations with Betr, it remains in favour of the offer from Mixi. Provided it remains the most favourable and in the interests of shareholders. However, this position could change if analyses show that Betr’s terms are indeed better.
What’s Next?
Both transactions are currently in the process of being evaluated. The final decision will depend on the results of the financial review, as well as the opinion of an independent expert, who should confirm which of the schemes is really in the best interests of all PointsBet shareholders.
In Australia, 61 More Illegal Gambling Sites Have Been Blocked
Australia continues to actively fight against shady online gambling. In the first quarter of 2025, the local regulator – the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) – initiated the blocking of 61 websites offering illegal gambling services. This decision was the result of 22 investigations, where in each case violations of the legislation were recorded.
Between January and March, ACMA received 350 complaints from citizens – and 283 of these did relate to suspicious activity. This led to proceedings against 25 sites, many of which were in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. In total, the inspections found 33 breaches, including:
- 20 providing prohibited gambling services (e.g. best Aussie casino without a licence);
- 12 instances of operating without an Australian licence;
- 1 case of unfair advertising.
Among the sanctioned sites were such brands as CoinPoker, Leon Casino, Woo Casino and others. They were issued official warnings. In addition to this, all 61 domains were sent to ISPs to be blocked, as well as transferred to parental filter providers to restrict access to them through family protection services.
Why It’s Important
Most of the resources that were banned offered classic casino games: slots, card tables, sports betting – all without a proper licence. This means that players had neither legal guarantees nor confidence in the fairness of the game.
Where to Report Suspicious Websites
If you notice a best Aussie casino that is operating without a licence or breaking local regulations, you can report it directly through the ACMA website. This is a real way to influence the situation – most of the current blockings were made possible thanks to such appeals.
Blocking is not a temporary measure, but an ongoing practice. More than 1,170 websites have already been blocked in Australia since the campaign began in 2019. For example, in March and April this year alone, the ACMA additionally allocated Megabet Prize, Mega Medusa, TF2Royal and Casino Intense for blocking.
Under Australian law, it is an offence to provide or advertise unlicensed gambling. And if warnings do not help, the regulator can take legal action.
Conclusion
It is clear that Australia is serious: more and more resources are getting blocked, and this is a signal for both players and operators. Those who want to play fair and safe should choose licensed sites, and operators should comply with local regulations.
AUSTRAC Has Started to Cleanse the Crypto-Register of Failing Platforms
AUSTRAC has started to bring order among cryptocurrency exchanges. The regulator is launching a campaign called “Use it or Lose it” – and the idea is simple: if a company is registered but not operating, it can be stripped of that very registration.
As of April 2025, AUSTRAC lists 427 cryptocurrency exchanges. But many of them have not shown signs of life for a long time. This raises concerns: unused licences are a convenient entry point for fraudsters and money launderers. So, instead of waiting for someone to exploit this vulnerability, AUSTRAC decided to be proactive.
Now, exchanges that do not conduct actual operations must either confirm that they continue to operate or voluntarily surrender their licence. Otherwise, they will simply be removed from the register.
What’s Going On
AUSTRAC is already sending out notices to potentially inactive exchangers inviting them to clarify their status. This is not a question of formal verification for the sake of reporting, but of quite specific consequences. Exchanges that do not respond or do not meet the requirements will be removed from the register and this data will become available to everyone.
What AUSTRAC Said
Brendan Thomas, CEO of the agency, explained, “We are increasingly seeing cryptocurrency being used for dubious schemes, from simple fraud to serious money laundering operations. The aim of our initiative is to protect people, clean up the market and prevent criminals from exploiting weak links.”
What Happens Next
After the completion of this campaign, AUSTRAC plans to open an online registry of DCEs (digital currency providers) to the general public. This will allow everyone – from a private investor to a major player – to check whether the chosen platform is operating legally.
Why It’s Important
Registering with AUSTRAC is a must for anyone best Aussie casino who deals with cryptocurrency in Australia, including even crypto machine operators. But registration isn’t just a tick box. It imposes obligations: customer verification, transaction monitoring, reporting. All of this is aimed at ensuring that the crypto industry develops honestly and safely.
And while previously players could get into the register “just in case”, now the approach is changing. Only active and conscientious market players will be able to continue working.
Bottom Line
“Use it or lose it” is not just a campaign, but part of AUSTRAC’s larger strategy. It’s about stricter oversight of the cryptocurrency sector, transparency and consumer protection, including best Aussie casino players. Australia, like many other countries, is taking what happens in this market more and more seriously.
Sterplay Holding Has Been Warned for Operating an Illegal Online Casino in Australia
The Australian Communications and Digital Media Regulator (ACMA) continues its crackdown on illegal best Aussie casinos. This time the company Sterplay Holding was hit. The reason is that their Casino Intense platform provided access to gambling to Australian users without the appropriate licence.
ACMA investigated and found out: the site offered classic casino-style games, with real money or other rewards. All of this was in circumvention of the rules in force.
A formal warning was sent to Sterplay on 2 April 2025. The regulator cites s. 15(2A) of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which makes it a civil offence to provide prohibited interactive gambling games to Australian residents without a licence.
The document notes that Casino Intense met all the criteria for a “prohibited interactive service,” meaning:
- The site was accessible via the internet;
- Offered games of chance;
- Was targeted at users based in Australia.
Sterplay Holding’s registered office is in Belize, but this does not prevent the ACMA from acting when it comes to breaching Australian law. The warning was issued under section 64A of the same Act.
By the way, this is not the first such action by the regulator. In the first three months of 2025 alone, ACMA completed 22 investigations, all of which recorded violations. As a result, 61 sites were blocked, including such well-known resources as Woo Casino, Billy Billion and Crown Slots.
The regulator continues to actively remind: if best Aussie casino does not have a licence, it is operating outside the law. ACMA also encourages users to report suspicious sites directly through its platform – this helps to promptly respond and restrict access to offenders.
These cases show that Australia takes the regulation of online gambling seriously. If a company operates in a “grey zone”, it not only risks being sanctioned, but also loses the trust of players. Users today are increasingly choosing sites with a licence, understanding that this is not only a matter of the law, but also the safety of personal data and funds.
If you need, I can offer versions of the headline for other formats – news feed, blog, newsletter or telegram channel.
Aristocrat Targets Interblock: Possible $1.3bn Deal Would Strengthen Its Position in the ETG Segment
Aristocrat, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of slot machines and digital solutions for best Aussie casino. It is now in the final stages of talks to buy Interblock, a company specialising in electronic table games (ETGs). The deal could be worth between $1bn and $1.3bn, according to industry sources. Macquarie Capital is acting as an adviser.
No official comment has yet come from Aristocrat, but sources say the announcement could come as early as May – as part of the company’s upcoming investor day. And although the negotiators are restricted by non-disclosure agreements, leaked information suggests that a deal is highly likely.
For Aristocrat, this move is of strategic importance. While the company already has a strong foothold in slot machines and online products, it still has a limited presence in the ETG segment. The acquisition of Interblock, one of the leaders in electronic roulette, blackjack and other table games, will give Aristocrat the opportunity to strengthen its competition with suppliers such as Light & Wonder and Spintec.
Interblock itself is well known on the market for its specialisation in automated tables, a solution that is particularly in demand in casinos where there are restrictions on the number of live dealers or strict rules. Thus, the purchase opens Aristocrat’s entry into a stable but growing segment.
Interest in Interblock came against the backdrop of Aristocrat’s internal transformation. In 2024, the company revised its business strategy, sold the Plarium studio and began restructuring the Big Fish division. At the same time, partnership agreements were signed – for example, with Incentive Games – to distribute games under the Aristocrat Interactive brand.
Things are now looking up for the Interblock deal to be a major milestone for Aristocrat, strengthening its position in both the digital and physical gaming space. While there’s no official confirmation yet, industry observers are confident: news is only a matter of time.
