Australia to Consider Outright Ban of Gambling Ads

• Australia considers all out ban on gambling ads.
• Michigan regulators issue Cease and Desist letter to One Country online casino.
• U.S. Gambling Sector Hits $39.9B in H1 2024, $29.1B from Illegal Operations.
• NCAA Proposes Eliminating Football's Spring Transfer Window.

Gambling News

Australia Looks to Ban Gambling Ads

Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to reduce or completely eliminate the influx of gambling ads in Australia, with polling suggesting a majority of people support the move.

A recent probe found that there were “few safeguards” to protect those battling addiction and recommended 31 reforms to avoid “grooming” a new generation of children to gamble, starting with a three-year phased ban on advertising.

The government has signalled it may instead opt for a cap to limit advertising, as opposed to eliminating the ads entirely. It has cited the role gambling ad revenue plays in propping up the nation’s ailing free-to-air broadcasters, as well as warnings from wagering companies that a ban could drive consumers offshore.

Doing so would result in huge tax losses on Australian betting platforms which currently fund “vital services”, the peak body representing the industry says.

Australia already blocks hundreds of offshore gambling websites.

Gambling News

Michigan Gaming Control Board Issues Cease-and-Desist Letter to Online Casino Company One Country

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has issued a cease-and-desist letter to OC Media Holdings LLC, operating as One Country Give.  The unlicenced online casino is based out of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

According to the Commission, One Country Give has been generating income through monthly membership sales, offering participants entries into various so-called “sweepstakes” advertised on their website and social media platforms. These so-called sweepstakes are unlicensed online lotteries and/or raffles under Michigan law.

Gambling News

U.S. Gambling Sector Hits $39.9B in H1 2024, $29.1B from Illegal Operations

The U.S. gambling sector has displayed remarkable financial performance in the first half of 2024, reaching a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $39.9 billion, according to a recent report exclusively shared with iGB by Yield Sec. Notably, $29.1 billion of this amount stemmed from illicit operations spanning from January to June 2024.

Yield Sec, employing advanced predictive analytics, highlighted in its report that the legal sports betting and online gambling platforms generated $10.8 billion in GGR. The report detailed the operations of 892 illegal and 651 affiliate entities promoting unauthorized platforms across the nation.

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College Football

NCAA Proposes Eliminating Football's Spring Transfer Window

Under the NCAA's FBS and FCS oversight committees proposal, the 30-day transfer window in December would become the lone opportunity for FBS and FCS players to enter their name in the transfer portal and seek a new school. For the past two years, the transfer portal has also opened for a 15-day window in April.

College football's spring transfer period is officially in danger of being eliminated after the NCAA's FBS and FCS oversight committees recommended the sport move to a single offseason notification-of-transfer window.

Under their proposal, the 30-day transfer window in December would become the lone opportunity for FBS and FCS players to enter their name in the transfer portal and seek a new school. For the past two years, the transfer portal has also opened for a 15-day window in April.

The Division I Council will meet in October to determine whether it will adopt the proposal, which reduces the total number of days when student-athletes can transfer from 45 to 30.

If approved, the change would take effect for the 2024-25 school year.

By  Gilbert Horowitz Gilbert is the esteemed reporter for Gambling911 covering all gamuts of the industry.  He has been with the site for the better part of a decade.  Gilbert works out of the Miami Beach bureau.