Litigation, Disputes and Regulatory Investigations

Senet provides strategic advice and specialist litigation expertise across a wide range of disputes involving the supply of gambling products and services.  

Litigation support for gambling disputes 

Our unique industry knowledge helps clients traverse complex, and often novel, disputes with clear, strategic and practical advice. 

Australian gambling law in many respects has been bypassed by digital and technological advancements. When combined with a scant number of cases litigated on gambling legislation, it can be difficult predict outcomes, with each ruling setting a precedent for future cases. 

Our approach prioritises pro-active and sensible strategies to minimise exposure to legal risk and potential reputational damage in a fast-changing regulatory environment. That includes seeking to resolve disputes and complaints commercially where applicable. 

Australia’s gambling industry is fluent and complex, with legislative frameworks differing across state and territory borders.  Having the backing of skilled legal representation with a deep understanding of the industry's nuances is essential. Not only does it assist in navigating the legislative framework applicable to gambling products and services in Australia, but it also enables access to strategic insights that can pre-empt potential disputes, helping your business to continue upholding its integrity and market position. 

By addressing issues head-on with a well-planned legal strategy, businesses can avoid prolonged disputes that could tarnish their reputation and financial standing. 

Regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings 

At Senet, we cover all aspects of regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings. 

We advise gambling operators and other businesses anticipating or subject to escalated regulatory scrutiny, investigative or enforcement action. This includes providing assistance to not only traditional gambling businesses, such as wagering service operators and gaming venues, but also businesses who transact with gambling operators such as IT service providers, payment service providers and marketing agencies.  

Failure to comply with regulatory obligations can expose organisations and individuals to civil and criminal penalties. It is essential that operators seek expert legal advice during regulatory investigations. Professional guidance helps businesses to navigate the process, ensuring issues are addressed effectively while reducing their exposure to financial penalties, reputation damage or legal non-compliance. We assist clients in understanding the allegations, regulator concerns and objectives, and work through available mechanisms to resolve issues.

Australian gambling legislation applies at both a federal and state and territory level. As leaders in gambling law, Senet stands apart through our extensive and consistent experience with Australian regulatory bodies. Our team engages regularly with a wide range of regulators at both a state and federal level, allowing us to offer unmatched insights and expertise into their own unique areas of concerns, policy and regulatory approaches. 

 These statutory bodies include, but are not limited to: 

• Federal:  Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), law enforcement and other statutory bodies. 

• State and Territory: including for example, Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), Liquor and Gaming NSW (L&G NSW), the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC, and formerly ‘NTRC’), Queensland Office of Liquor Gaming & Racing (QOLGR), principal racing authorities or ’PRAs’ such as Racing Victoria, Racing NSW and Racing Queensland, Consumer and Business Services (CBS) South Australia and many other statutory bodies.  

The understanding of regulatory risk is a keystone to most successful gambling businesses, particularly in the current social and political environment where Australian gambling regulators are frequently shifting their lens on regulatory priorities and focuses. 

Whether you are a wagering service provider, lottery provider, charitable raffle organiser or other gambling service provider, we ensure your legal strategy aligns with your operational framework and industry position.