Inside AGE 2022

austgamingexpo.com | #1 AUG 2022 | INSIDE AGE | 75 to change their gambling habits. “BetStop will help those at risk of gambling harm to take control of their situation, a l l o w i n g t h e m t o b l o c k themselves from all licensed online and phone wagering services in a single process,” O’Loughlin said. “BetStop wi l l be up and running in the coming months. It is now time for industry to get ready and to have their systems and processes in place to protect their customers and use BetStop. “People who want to change their gambling habits can also start exploring whether Betstop can play a role to help them make those choices.” NSW KNOCKS BACK STAR SYDNEY BID FOR ADDITIONAL 1,000 GAMING MACHINES Star Enter ta i nment Group Limited has been knocked back in its bid to add an additional 1,000 gaming machines at The Star Sydney. Th e c omp a ny r eve a l e d recently that it has been advised that the NSW Government does not consider it appropriate “at this time” to move forward with Star’s proposal given the recent review into Star Sydney’s operations. A report into Star’s suitability to retain its NSW casino license as a result of the review is due in August. Star revealed in August 2021 that it had put forward a proposal to the state government to add an additional 1,000 gaming machines at The Star Sydney, with licenses to be obtained from underperforming pubs and clubs across regional NSW. The Star Sydney is currently licensed to operate 1,500 gaming machines, meaning the proposal would have boosted its inventory by 67% if approved. Instead, the company will have to await the findings of the Bell review, which uncovered a raft of failures around Star’s anti-money laundering controls. A second review into Star’s operations in Brisbane and the Gold Coast is currently underway in Queensland.