Online casino: Betting on New Zealand over Australia

Paul Newson, Founder of Regulating the Game and regular contributor, argues that New Zealand’s decision to launch online casino shows rare discipline – in contrast to Australia.

So far, no court has tested how the “reasonable precautions” defence operates in practice. Most enforcement actions have been settled rather than decided. Eventually, a case will test that defence in court – perhaps through AUSTRAC’s litigation with Entain, and possibly Mounties.

Billionaire businessman James Packer has accused casino regulators of trying to bankrupt the sector, and former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews of “being my least favourite person”, in a scathing assessment of the industry he once dominated through his ownership in Crown Resorts.

James Packer, the former Chairman and major shareholder of Crown Resorts, has accused Australian lawmakers of trying to bankrupt the casino industry – accusing former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews of reneging on a significant tax deal for Crown Melbourne and questioning how the Chief Commissioner of the NSW regulator, Philip Crawford, still has a job.

Former NSW regulator Paul Newson questions whether Australia’s long-held approach to casino regulation is still relevant today.

Australia’s casino probity regime is a relic of regulatory logic forged in a different era. Rooted in the foundational Street and Connor reports, it was designed to shield the industry from infiltration by organized crime, borrowing heavily from the Las Vegas playbook. These reports recommended adopting a dedicated licensing regime modelled on the US approach, centered on rigorous scrutiny of individuals – financial history, associations, character – as the cornerstone of casino integrity.

Vanguard Overwatch has announced a strategic collaboration with Jay Robinson, Managing Director of JR Consulting, to enhance safer gambling strategy, training, and culture change capability for gambling operators, regulators, and governments.

Vanguard Overwatch has announced a strategic collaboration with Jay Robinson, managing director of JR Consulting, to enhance safer gambling strategy, training, and culture change capability for gambling operators, regulators, and governments.

Newly appointed Entain Australia interim CEO Andrew Vouris is wasting no time making a statement.

“I want us to win, yes, but not at all costs,” he said recently. It’s a line that marks a conscious shift in tone and ambition. A step away from legacy cultures that flirted with legal minimalism, toward a future that embraces ethical leadership, transparency and sustained trust.

Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and trusted Gambling Insider contributor, gives his thesis on where Australia stands after a crucial few years of regulatory change.

On 25 March 2025, AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas spoke at the Regulating the Game 2025 gambling law and regulation conference.

Economist Andrew Russell explores the differences between community benefit and in-principle arguments for the existence of a legal gambling industry and why the latter is vital in winning over sentiment.

Leading gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game (RTG) has announced its first joint sponsors for its 2026 event: CherryHub and Ebet.

Regulating the Game 2026 is excited to welcome its first joint sponsors, CherryHub and Ebet, two innovative Australian companies driving transformation across the gaming and hospitality sectors. Their sponsorship underscores a shared commitment to industry leadership, compliance excellence and regulatory innovation.

The organisers of Regulating the Game have announced the launch of the RTG Global Awards, a new initiative recognising outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact across the international gambling and regulatory landscape.

Leading gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game will host its first ever RTG Global Awards as part of its 2026 schedule of events at the Regulating the Game conference in Sydney in March.

Vanguard Overwatch and McAtamney & Advisors have announced a strategic partnership that brings together leading expertise in anti-money laundering (AML), safer gambling and regulatory strategy to deliver tailored, end-to-end solutions for gambling operators and regulators navigating complex, high-stakes environments.

Vanguard Overwatch and McAtamney & Advisors have announced a strategic partnership that brings together their expertise in anti-money laundering (AML), safer gambling, and regulatory strategy to deliver "tailored, end-to-end solutions for gambling operators and regulators navigating complex, high-stakes environments."

Vanguard Overwatch is a specialist advisory firm dedicated to advancing gambling-related public policy and regulatory compliance, helping its clients navigate complex regulatory environments.

Vanguard Overwatch and McAtamney & Advisors have announced a strategic partnership that brings together leading expertise in anti-money laundering (AML), safer gambling, and regulatory strategy to deliver tailored, end-to-end solutions for gambling operators and regulators navigating complex, high-stakes environments.

AUSTRAC CEO, Brendan Thomas - Speaking notes at Regulating the Game 2025

The Regulating the Game 2025 Sydney conference officially concluded last Thursday, "marking another milestone in the evolution of gambling regulation, policy, and industry leadership," according to a press release.