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Liquor & Gaming NSW
eNews
23 April 2024

News - April 2024

Hospitality and Racing leadership

This is an image of a man giving a speechHospitality and Racing is delighted to announce that Tarek Barakat has been officially appointed Deputy Secretary Hospitality and Racing, which will see him lead the organisation on an ongoing basis.

As many of you will know, Tarek has been acting head of Hospitality and Racing since the middle of 2023 and has taken a robust evidence-based approach to policy development and implementation, while building strong relationships with industry experts and stakeholders to inform and deliver on key regulatory and strategic priorities in the liquor, gaming and racing sectors.

Under his leadership, Hospitality and Racing has made great achievements and will continue to do so to deliver a vibrant, safe and responsible hospitality and racing sector for the people of NSW.

Reclaim the Game expands influence to netball and continues NRL partnerships

This is an image of a group of peopleReclaim the Game just announced exciting new partnerships with netball clubs NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball. This comes after the announcement that NRL clubs the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs will be part of Reclaim the Game for another three years.  

Clubs which join Reclaim the Game take a stand by saying no to sports betting sponsorship. They also educate their fans, players and staff about gambling harm and safer gambling through messaging at their games and on their digital and social media. 

Minister David Harris announced the new netball partnerships on 3 April alongside Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott and players from both teams.  

We have also created new video content with the clubs to challenge the idea that betting is a normal part of sport. 

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NSW Government’s Regulatory Roadshow hits Walgett

This is an image of a group of people chattingThe NSW Government’s successful Hospitality and Racing Regulatory Roadshow program kicked off its second year with an event in Walgett at the end of March, building closer ties with regional liquor and gaming industries and Aboriginal community groups in the state’s far northwest. 

Senior executives from Hospitality and Racing visited the region on Tuesday, 26 March to directly update regional liquor licensees on a range of topics, including the government’s liquor and gaming reforms and regulatory priorities. Read more information on the Walgett event here. 

Registrations are open for the next event in Tamworth on 21 May.

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Cashless gaming trial beginning in Tweed Heads

This is an image of a gaming machinePatrons at the Twin Towns Services Club in Tweed Heads are now able to sign up to use cashless gaming technology as the state’s expanded trial begins. The club will test the technology on all of its 596 gaming machines, making it the largest trial site in regional NSW, overseen by the Independent Panel. Additionally, patrons can receive demonstrations on using the updated machines from technology provider ebet during final testing stages. 

The trial will continue to roll out across NSW in a staged approach. Overall, the technology will be installed in over 4,000 gaming machines across NSW, surpassing the NSW Government’s election commitment of 500 machines. 

The commencement of the cashless gaming trial at Twin Towns is an important step in the journey to understand and report on various technological solutions, including privacy and security, and their impact on venues and staff. Importantly, it will also give insights into solutions to minimise harm caused through gaming and prevent money laundering.

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New member joins ILGA board

This is an image of the ILGA logoThe NSW Government has appointed a new member to the Board of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA). 

Chris Honey, one of the founding partners of McGrathNicol, has been appointed to the ILGA Bboard for three years. 

Mr Honey commenced his term as an ILGA Board Member on 12 February 2024.

Find out more

Uptown Accelerator 2024 applications now open

This is an image of the Uptown accelerator logoApplications for the third edition of the Uptown Accelerator are now open.   

The Accelerator is designed to unlock the potential of going-out districts across urban centres by:    
  • empowering teams of businesses to collaboratively develop their District identity; and
  • equipping them with the skills and networks to attract partners and consumers to their District.
As part of the Accelerator, teams of businesses will receive coaching from experts to accelerate their District’s development, covering skills such as visioning, branding, attracting partners, grant writing and pitching.  

For further information on the Accelerator and how to apply, please refer to the Admission Guidelines and visit the website to apply by 3:00pm Wednesday, 22 May 2024. 

To learn more about Round 3 of the Uptown Accelerator, join the 24-Hour Economy team for an information session:  

Wednesday, 24 April 11:00am – 12:00pm. Register to attend here. 

If you have any questions about the Uptown District Acceleration Program, please contact uptown@enterprise.nsw.gov.au.

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