The body that represents the country’s biggest bookmakers has named a new chief executive after a six-month review of its operations, as the industry prepares to face a federal investigation into gambling harm.
Responsible Wagering Australia, which represents gambling giants including Sportsbet, PointsBet and Ladbrokes, has appointed former policy adviser Kai Cantwell to lead the group effective April 17. Cantwell worked in various government positions for more than a decade, including as a senior executive in the department. of social services where he implemented the national consumer protection framework for online gambling, before joining the Oracle technology group.
Responsible Wagering Australia has appointed Kai Cantwell as Chief Executive Officer. Credit:Getty
Cantwell will be tasked with representing the online gambling industry and defending its members, who have been accused of division and misalignment over the past year, as the debate surrounding gambling regulation intensifies.
Former chief executive Justin Madden resigned in November after a year in the role to “pursue other business interests”, sparking intense speculation about the future of the body. Responsible Wagering Australia Chairman and former Howard Minister Nick Minchin commissioned an independent review of the structure of the organization which is collectively responsible for 32,000 jobs and more than $2 billion in various taxes each year.
Kai Cantwell is the new CEO of Responsible Wagering Australia.
Former Sportsbet legal director Julie Ryan’s advisory business, JR Consult, was retained to carry out the six-month review. Ryan declined to comment because the content of the review is confidential, but sources close to the industry body said she recommended significant investment in developing responsible gambling research and better coordination with gambling harm experts. The agency is also expected to focus on recruitment in the coming months to bolster Cantwell’s team and play a more active role in regulating the sector.
Minchin told this newspaper that Cantwell was uniquely positioned to meet the challenges facing the industry, which is currently grappling with new advertising regulations enacted by the Albanian government, the point of excise tax increases in states. key, as well as looming parliamentary hearings on game damage next month. .
“His in-depth knowledge of social policy, sports, betting and government perfectly positions him to lead the RWA and its members as we continue to promote socially responsible betting and advocate for the highest standards in the industry,” said Minchin.
Minchin will represent Responsible Wagering Australia at a public hearing in Canberra on April 4 as part of the parliamentary inquiry into gambling damage. Sportsbet and Entain – which owns Ladbrokes and Neds – will also appear as individual entities. Tabcorp, which is not a member of RWA, is also slated to participate.
