As reported by The Australian Financial Review, Albanese did not show support for a nationwide gambling reform.

Gambling Regulation Is in the Hands of States

Instead, the PM acknowledged that the regulation of poker machines and a reform of the sector are in the hands of the lawmakers in each state. Speaking about problem gambling, Albanese acknowledged it is a “scourge.” The PM pointed out that while he rarely engages in placing bets, this is not the case for some people. Still, Albanese said that changes and regulations within the gambling sector vary depending on the state, which is why it is important for those changes to be led by lawmakers in each jurisdiction.

“I’m someone who has a bet sometimes once a year on the Melbourne Cup, that’s it, and that’s the extent of my engagement. But the regulation of these issues is a matter for the states and territories, and it varies across the states and territories.“

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia

The Prime Minister’s announcement coincided with an announcement made by Dominic Perrottet, the NSW Premier who supports the reform of the industry in the state through the cashless gaming card. Perrottet revealed recently that the cashless gaming proposal alone won’t be effective. This is why he pointed out that a daily spending limit would be imposed as well. Moreover, Perrottet reminded the recommendation of a report by the crime commission which urged NSW to introduce cashless gaming. According to him, people should no longer risk their livelihood at gambling machines.

“A cashless system won’t work without a cap, that’s important.“

Dominic Perrottet, NSW Premier

Reform of the NSW Gambling Sector Yet to Start

The announcements come after only recently, Chris Minns, NSW Labor leader, who had opposed efforts for the revamp of the gambling industry in the state, showed support for the cashless gaming card. He claimed that if NSW Labor wins the March elections, the political group would support changes to the gaming sector.

Such changes to the sector would include a 12-month cashless gaming cards trial. Minns explained that the trial would affect at least 500 gambling machines. The whole process would be overseen by an independent panel consisting of health experts, scientists and law enforcement officers.

What’s more, Minns said his party implemented a change that restricts it from receiving donations from clubs and pubs that have pokie machines. He pointed out that if NSW Labor wins the upcoming election, that regulation would be signed into law for the state.

Disclaimer: The following text is contributed by Mobinc CEO, Sergei Belikov.

The need for technological advancement is clear and artificial intelligence, in which software is programmed to perform human tasks, is one of the most promising solutions, writes Mobinc CEO, Sergei Belikov.

The Evolution of AI in iGaming

Recent years have seen artificial intelligence have a profound impact on the way the iGaming industry works across a wide range of disciplines. Its introduction has informed the way we approach everything from game design to player retention. Meanwhile, outside our sector the technology is being used to improve medical practices and perfect self-driving cars. In 2020, Grand View Research estimated the global AI market was valued at $62.35bn in 2020, predicting this would exceed $930bn by 2028.

While AI shows a huge degree of potential across the board, there is a solid argument to be made that the iGaming sector is particularly suited to benefit from it. One of the functions of AI is to analyze huge amounts of data to identify future outcomes correctly, immediately highlighting its ability to improve a bookmaker’s bottom line. All the necessary data is sitting around waiting to be inputted and significantly improve everything, from odds-making to player profiling as well as risk management and fraud detection.

However, as promising as this sounds, the bricks are only as good as the clay they are made with – the system needs high-quality information, and lots of it. If the data is poorly sourced the resulting intelligence will be lacking. Experts in machine learning are getting better at identifying how good data can be gathered in more automated ways. AI is rapidly evolving and getting to the point where it can identify and harvest quality data itself. With this in mind, the possibilities to improve a business’ productivity are endless, including how to identify player preferences more accurately.

This is where player profiling and segmentation come in very handy. Machine learning enables us to build dynamic cohorts of customers that are automatically updated by using a wide range of data points, allowing us to construct a detailed profile for each customer. By grouping similar users, an operator can tailor promotional offers that can acquire, engage and retain large numbers of customers with ease.

Results in Real-time

The correct use of AI will also allow us to exceed player expectations with a highly personalized experience. When done right, the technology will mean that everything a player does on a site informs their experience. If they search ‘slots’, it should seamlessly display the casino’s slots catalog. If they played mining gaming the previous day, those slots should predominantly be made up of that genre. Rather than retroactively spamming customers after they have left the site, AI has the potential to customize and personalize their immediate experience and deliver what is effectively real-time marketing.

Out-of-game messaging has its place, but here too AI and machine learning shows a great deal of promise. For example, in a live dealer, if a player has a preference for a particular game and dealer, a well-constructed AI system could identify this and send an email or message that they are currently live.

Equally, if a blackjack player does poorly for a number of hands in a row, they may get frustrated with a game, which is when a good AI system could send a bonus their way, so they don’t feel disheartened with the experience.

Meanwhile, in sportsbooks, the rapidity at which systems like these can process information means they can analyze the speed and trajectory of football players and, in the early stages of a mounting attack, identify if one of them will be offside, adjusting odds instantly to reflect that fact.

We are just touching on the potential that AI and machine learning hold for the iGaming sector, but operators seeking to boost their offering in every aspect from acquisition and retention to player segmentation would do well to stay up to date on how this technology is evolving, as Mobinc continues to help its operator partners to do.

Provider of B2B online gaming technology and B2C online betting and gaming, GAN, announced its Coolbet brand is now available in the regulated Mexican market.

Slow and Steady Growth

The launch of GAN’s Coolbet in Mexico made the Latin American country the tenth regulated jurisdiction where the brand acquired by GAN in January 2021 is operational.

Commenting on the announcement, the president of B2C for GAN, Endre Nesset, expressed the excitement and thrill among everyone at GAN “to be live and operating in the regulated Mexican market” by extending Coolbet’s reach to local players.

“We expect our share of the market to grow over time, but initially we expect both investment spend and revenue to be modest, as we gain familiarity with the market,” Nesset continued, emphasizing that the launch in Mexico “has been asset-light, with limited marketing spend focused on targeted social media and digital campaigns.”

As for the near future, Nesset outlined that Coolbet’s efforts will be concentrated on sponsorships to Mexican athletes and streamers to boost brand awareness among the locals and grow the brand’s presence in the market.

Local partnerships for the brand began on January 16 when Coolbet teamed with a locally licensed partner to allow it to use its brand and offer Coolbet as a viable sports betting option to eligible customers in Mexico.

Top-Market Odds, Localized Support

Coolbet is promising its players a unique sports betting experience based on leading products and localized customer service alongside top-market odds and a localized sports betting menu developed by the brand’s in-house team of bookmakers.

Available for wagering will be the most popular sporting events in Mexico and the Latin American region, including the 2023 Mexico Open, MLB Mexico, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, Recopa Sudamericana, Formula 1, and many others.

The launch in Mexico marked Coolbet’s tenth jurisdiction of operation to add to the brand’s presence in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Chile, Estonia, New Zealand, Austria, and Germany, and the brand’s second Latin American country of operation.

Operating a gaming site and sportsbook software, the brand headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, features over 350 employees and holds operating licenses in Estonia, Sweden, Malta, and the Canadian province of Ontario.

Last year, Coolbet joined the International Betting and Integrity Association (IBIA) as one of the organization’s trusted partners to assist it in discovering suspicious betting patterns and undertaking legal action to get rid of corruption and other underhanded tactics.

The main professional snooker tour that reunites 128 competitors in up to 28 tournaments has made the big announcement right before the debut of the first event part of the World Series. The 2020-launched crypto casino and sportsbook will sponsor all three events in the series. 

Word Snooker Tour, Thrilled to Bring Duelbits on Board

Speaking about the new partnership, World Snooker Your (WST) chairman Steve Dawson expressed their thrill to be bringing Duelbits on board for three of their most important tournaments. Dawson also called the series of events “unique”, explaining that players would qualify based on how well they will perform throughout the season. 

Accordingly, their huge global audience can expect to witness “snooker of the highest quality”, with only players in the best shape possible able to qualify. The chairman also spoke about the impressively large viewing figures connected to their free-to-air snooker fanbase in the UK recorded via ITV. The latter is the freshest streaming service in the UK. 

The three events part of the 2023 Duelbits Series will also benefit from extended live television coverage from the same streaming service that reunites exclusive TV series, shows, blockbuster movies, boxsets, and live events under the same roof.

Other important broadcasters located in different parts of the planet will also air all three events starting with the Duelbits World Grand Prix in Cheltenham between January 16 and January 22 and continuing with the Duelbits Players Championship in Wolverhampton held between February 20 and February 26. Finally, the Duelbits Tour Championship will be organized in Hull between March 27 and April 2, 2023.

All-Time Best Snooker Players Reunited 

During all these events, the field will bring together some of the best snooker players of all time, as well as the best players in form. The first 32 players part of a one-year ranking have all successfully made it into the Duelbits World Grand Prix. 

Ronnie O’Sullivan will go against other hot names in the sport, including Neil Robertson, Judd Trump, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Mark Allen, and Mark Williams. 

The first 16 players will make it into the Duelbits Players Championship that will be held in February. After that, the top eight players will reach the prestigious Duelbits Tour Championship.

Duelbits’ head of sportsbook, Ross Haffie, also explained that the company was “absolutely thrilled to partner with WST” and introduce the Duelbits Series to their players and punters. The company regards the series as a good opportunity to grow its audience using one of the most beloved brands on the planet. 

At the start of the year, WTS proved its commitment to fighting corruption in the sport by having two players suspended after being accused of allegedly manipulating games. Last August, Duelbits became Aston Villa’s new European betting partner.

Française des Jeux (FDJ), the operator of France’s national lottery, has penned a new agreement with the renowned soccer club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). FDJ will leverage the team’s popularity to promote safer gambling.

The operator and its ParionsSport brand in particular have long enjoyed a healthy relationship with PSG. The new campaign will see FDJ use PSG imagery to send a message to French bettors, encouraging them to play responsibly.

In addition, the Ligue 1 club will help FDJ work to raise awareness of the alarming underage gambling rates in France. Recent studies show that minors regularly wager on sports and are oftentimes encouraged by their parents.

The main campaign will consist of two short videos featuring some of the fan-favorite Paris Saint-Germain players. Players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Hugo Ekitike, Kylian Mbappé, Nordi Mukiele, Neymar Jr, Danilo Pereira, Sergio Ramos, Renato Sanches and Vítor “Vitinha” Machado Ferreira will all be featured in the films.

The collaborative initiative between the operator and the soccer team is the first of its kind in France. The message of safer gambling will be promoted on social media and TV, which will help it reach millions of French citizens.

Both Parties Realize the Importance of Their Message

FDJ and PSG released statements on their new agreement. Richard Courtois, the director of sports activities and poker at Française des Jeux, said that he is very happy about this initiative. According to Courtois, the new agreement will allow FDJ to raise awareness of a subject that is very important to both the operator and the soccer club – responsible gambling.

According to Courtois, sports bets must remain a pleasurable leisure pastime that is uniquely reserved for adults. He said that he hopes the new campaign’s message would have an effect on French society, helping it suppress problem and underage gambling.

Cynthia Marcou, Paris Saint-Germain’s sponsorship director, also shared her thoughts. She emphasized that the club is very aware of the issue of problem gambling. One of the team’s core ethics is the prevention of high-risk gambling.

Marcou said that PSG is very happy to once again work beside FDJ’s ParionsSport brand and promote responsible behavior in sports wagering. She concluded that she hopes that the campaign will inspire all PSG fans and sports enthusiasts as a whole to make a difference.

In March, FDJ’s ParionsSports brands scooped a major three-year sponsorship agreement with the famed soccer club.