AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas – Regulating the Game 2025

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

Speaking of AUSTRAC’s recent enforcement action against several of the major Australian casinos, Mr Thomas stated:

“In several cases, we’ve seen clear examples of boards and executives turning a blind eye to crime for the benefit of profit. A key failure that we have observed is when boards take a ‘tick and flick’ approach to their AML responsibilities. In these situations we have seen cultural failures where the important questions are just not asked, or the questions that are asked are not sufficiently robust.”

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.

Paul Newson, Principal of Vanguard Overwatch and organizer of Australian gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game, tells IAG about the evolution of the event and what attendees can expect from a revamped format in 2025.

Four years and one pandemic since Australian gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game made its debut at Sydney’s International Convention Center (ICC), founder Paul Newson is adamant he has finally nailed the winning formula.

With the latest edition of Regulating the Game fast approaching, to take place from March 10 to 13 at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour in Sydney (Australia), Yogonet caught up with Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, to learn more about this year's conference highlights and why RtG is "THE event for anyone serious about shaping the future of gambling regulation, compliance, and industry transformation."

Paul Newson, Regulating the Game Founder, Australian policy expert and Gambling Insider contributor, discusses Australia’s complex landscape of gaming regulation.

Now in its fifth edition, the Regulating the Game (RtG) conference has year after year served as the event that bridges the gap between regulators, industry professionals, and stakeholders. The meeting explores the latest developments in gambling law and regulation, providing attendees with new tools, actionable insights, and more, drawing an audience from around the world.

Vanguard Overwatch is positioning itself as an essential partner for gaming venues and wagering operators, supporting them in navigating regulatory complexities and enhancing their operational integrity. Under the leadership of founder Paul Newson—whose impressive career spans regulation, governance, and public policy across several key domains—Vanguard Overwatch has launched a rigorous accreditation programme that redefines industry standards for anti-money laundering (AML) and responsible gambling practices.

Vanguard Overwatch, under the leadership of founder Paul Newson, has launched an accreditation program to help gaming operators strengthen compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and responsible gambling practices. 

Paul Newson’s vision for Vanguard Overwatch extends beyond meeting existing regulations; it sets a benchmark for excellence that builds trust and promotes industry sustainability. Through rigorous assurance and ongoing evaluations, Vanguard Overwatch enables organisations to enhance their operations, protect their reputations, and demonstrate leadership in responsible gambling and compliance.

Having humiliated Star Entertainment’s board and management team with a second inquiry, run its CEO and chairman out of town, scared off punters and potential recruits, and almost sent the company broke, just how bad does the casino owner’s plucky regulator really think it is?

The CEO of Australian AML watchdog AUSTRAC, Brendan Thomas, has been named as a featured speaker at next year’s Regulating the Game conference, to be held at Sydney’s Sofitel Darling Harbour from 10 to 13 March 2025.