Asia round-up – Australia focus: The Star, Rivalry & BetMakers
The Star suspends all rebate play programmes
The Star Entertainment Group has suspended all domestic and international rebate play programmes and has reconfirmed a commitment to not dealing with junkets.
The announcement comes while the Australian operator addresses issues arising from the ongoing review of its Sydney casino.
A statement from the operator read: “The board has resolved to immediately suspend rebate programmes for both domestic and international players across all its casinos until further notice.
“The Star will work with gaming regulators to address various identified risks as part of ongoing reviews of systems and processes.”
The company also referred to its decision in October 2020 to end all junket programs, noting that “in light of the Covid-related impacts on this part of the business, the decision to suspend rebate programs is not expected to have any material impact on earnings for FY22.”
Rivalry launches esports and sports betting in Australia
Canada’s Rivalry Corp has taken a trip down under, bringing both its esports and traditional sports betting services to Australia.
Following the operator’s launch in Ontario last month, Rivalry has headed for sunnier climes in what has become its second regulated market.
But alongside Rivalry’s traditional sports offering, customers will be able to bet on esports events, including games such as Dota 2, League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Esports wagering is an up-and-coming industry and Rivalry is one of the main players trying to capitalise on young bettors’ interest in video games.
“The board has resolved to immediately suspend rebate programmes for both domestic and international players across all its casinos until further notice” The Star Entertainment Group, Official Statement
Having been approved for a sports bookmaker licence by the Northern Territory Racing Commission earlier this year, Rivalry has now accepted its first deposits and bets in Australia.
This licence permits the operator to offer sports betting throughout the Antipodean country, allowing residents to access Rivalry’s complete sportsbook and place wagers on football, boxing, basketball and more.
BetMakers brings fixed-odds horseracing betting to the US
BetMakers Technology Group has launched fixed-odds betting on horseracing in the US, making it legal for the first time in many years in the state of New Jersey.
As of Saturday 7 May, New Jersey racing and betting fans can make fixed-odds, as well as pari-mutuel, bets at Monmouth Park.
Guests at Monmouth will be able to use the new self-service terminal from Global Tote’s new BetLine series. The terminal offers extra-large touchscreen displays, as well as a new user interface that helps customers easily place tote bets.
Over the next few weeks, BetMakers customers can expect to see the introduction of a new website and mobile app for fixed odds betting on racing.
In addition, BetMakers is working with sportsbook operators to launch fixed-odds betting within their betting apps; this will inevitably increase the number of products to wager on.
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