ATM location and visibility requirements from 1 January 2025

As part of reforms to strengthen gambling harm minimisation requirements in NSW, enforceable changes are coming into effect for cash dispensing facility visibility and location in hotels and registered clubs.

What are cash dispensing facilities?

Cash dispensing facilities are Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) or EFTPOS with cash withdrawal facilities.

What changes have already occurred?

• From 1 July 2024, hotels and clubs are prohibited from placing any signage or advertising relating to gaming machines where it is visible from a cash dispensing facility.
• Any sign that advertises or gives direction to a cash dispensing facility is not allowed to be visible from a gaming machine or any part of a gaming area.
• From 1 August 2024, L&GNSW has enforced these signage requirements and responded to breaches appropriately and proportionately.

More changes coming 1 January 2025

Additional changes to the location and visibility of ATMs come into effect from 1 January 2025. These changes include:

• Cash dispensing facilities must be located outside of a 5-metre radius of any entrance to, or exit from a gaming area in a hotel or club.
• Cash dispensing facilities must not be visible from a gaming machine or entry to a gaming room or area or room where gaming machines are located.
• A gaming machine or jackpot sign must not be visible from a cash dispensing facility.

Venues that cannot comply with the new location requirements can now apply to L&GNSW for an exemption. An exemption can only be granted if it is not possible to comply with the five-metre radius rule because it would result in the venue contravening the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 or the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

More information, including how to apply for an exemption, can be found on the changes to cash dispensing facility signage and location in gaming venues webpage.

Upcoming webinar to support industry

To assist industry to meet their regulatory obligations, L&GNSW will be hosting a webinar.

The webinar will cover:

• signage changes that came into effect on 1 July 2024
• location and visibility of cash dispensing facilities which will take effect from 1 January 2025
• timeframes for implementation and our staged approach to enforcement
• exemptions
• outcomes from recent inspections.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with our inspectors, ask questions, and gain practical advice on how to effectively implement these changes in their establishments.

Register for this webinar.

More information about your obligations regarding location and signage requirements is available on the changes to cash dispensing facility signage and location in gaming venues webpage and in our position paper.