Focal’s ‘Prevent’ to demonstrate real-time gambling risk technology at Pitch! 2026 in Sydney

Focal’s real-time gambling risk identification and safer gambling messaging system, Prevent, has been selected as the next innovation to appear at Pitch! during Regulating the Game 2026 in Sydney. The event will be held on 9 March 2026 at the Sydney Opera House and will highlight technologies aimed at strengthening casino, gaming, and wagering regulation.

Pitch! is positioned as a platform for solutions that respond directly to regulatory challenges, with a focus on consumer protection, governance, and operational capability for gaming operators. 

The technology is designed for land-based venues that must track risk across extensive customer interactions, covering both carded and uncarded play while meeting compliance demands. By analysing live behavioural data, Prevent identifies early signs of gambling risk, triggers real-time alerts, and issues automated safer gambling messages to customers.

It is built as the latest development of Focal’s ALeRT Bettor Protection System, incorporating faster analysis, automated outreach capabilities, and behavioural visibility.

Prevent has been developed using more than three decades of global gambling research and applies evidence-based behavioural models to everyday venue operations. It is built to detect emerging risk, monitor play regardless of whether it is carded, send automated messages, support venue teams with consolidated risk information, and streamline compliance documentation.

“Prevent is exactly the sort of innovation Pitch! is built to spotlight,” said Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game. “We’re looking for solutions that lift capability, that translate research into operational practice, and that show what is possible when technology meets real-world regulatory challenges. Prevent is pushing safer gambling further upstream — and making it part of mainstream operations.”

Nadine, who will represent Focal at Pitch!, said: “Venues face mounting expectations to identify and respond to risk early, consistently and transparently. Prevent gives teams live data, clear insights, and automated communication tools that allow them to act faster and with greater confidence. It’s about supporting venues to protect customers more effectively, no matter how they play.”

Prevent’s inclusion in Pitch! will place the system before regulators, policy specialists, technology firms, venue operators, and international attendees, offering opportunities for discussion on the evolving landscape of player protection systems.

Regulating the Game 2026 Sydney is supported by a sponsor network. The organisers have extended their thanks to GLI as the Gala Dinner Partner and Amazon Web Services as a Silver Sponsor. Additional support has been provided by ebet, CherryHub, Intralot Australia, IGT, Everi, Vanguard Overwatch, Leagues Clubs Australia, and Thomson Geer, contributing to the delivery of the upcoming conference program.

For details on sponsorship, Pitch!, exhibition options, and the broader conference program, visit www.regulatingthegame.com