- Related capabilities
Gaming and gambling operations in Australia take place in a complex and rapidly changing legal and policy landscape. With deep experience of the sector and a strategic problem-solving approach, Addisons provides comprehensive advice covering all aspects of law and regulation affecting these sectors, in particular, the extent to which gambling laws apply.
Addisons’ Gaming & Gambling team is backed by leading legal expertise in market regulation, intellectual property, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). We guide clients from market entry into Australia, through investment and operational regulation such as know your customer (KYC), anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) and harm minimisation requirements. We advise on promotional, and business strategies for international gambling projects, both in-bound into Australia as well as out-bound to international markets.
Clients include investors, financiers, operators of online and physical gambling venues, gaming machine manufacturers, and service providers, as well as gambling industry associations and other local and international gambling industry participants. We assist startup and experienced participants in the gaming and entertainment sectors, including console games suppliers, social games websites and esports tournament organisers.
Addisons also advises social casino games operators, skills games suppliers and tipping and promotional competitions on the Australian regulatory environment, as well as all applicable customer terms and conditions.
provided regulatory and probity advice in relation to its successful application for the UK Fourth National Lottery Licence, following previous advice on the acquisition and regulatory obligations relating to the holding of an indirect interest in the Reef Casino Trust (the operator of The Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns Queensland).
advised Betfair on the formation of its joint venture with Crown Resorts to form Betfair Australia and all related commercial arrangements and regulatory issues.
assisted in grant of Northern Territory sports betting licence and providing corporate and regulatory advice in connection with numerous investments in Dabble Sports.
provided gambling regulatory advice in connection with the restrictions that apply to shareholders in gambling companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), including The Star Entertainment Group Limited, Tabcorp Holdings Limited and PointsBet Holdings Limited.
advised on regulatory issues and agreements with casinos and other venues (including in relation to gaming management systems and EGM supply agreements) both in Australia and overseas.
advised on the financing of the acquisition of Crown Resorts Limited by Blackstone.
Australasian Law Awards
2023 | M&A Deal of the Year – Crown/Blackstone deal (Addisons advised Starwood and lenders) – Finalist