NEWS & NOTES

The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced that it will be redirecting a AU$100 million (US$64.3 million) fine from Star Entertainment to its Responsible Gambling Fund, which will help pay for a number of statewide harm minimization projects and responsible gambling (RG) initiatives. According to a government release, the majority of the money will be allocated as follows: AU$10 million for the GambleAware RG program; AU$6.4 million for self-exclusion services, especially for bars and clubs; AU$3.4 million for a 12-month cashless gaming trial in bars and clubs; and AU$21.7 million per year for the next three years for other RG services. • Flutter Entertainment has acquired an initial 51 percent stake in Serbian omnichannel sports betting and gaming operator MaxBet for $149 million in cash. The deal gives Flutter access to the Serbian market and gives the company the opportunity to acquire the remaining 49 percent in 2029.