Hospitality and Racing News August 2023

In this issue

Independent Panel gets to work on NSW Government's landmark gaming reforms

Venues prepare for September VIP signage ban

Roadshows open direct conversations with regional industries

Feedback sought on alcohol delivery reforms

Greyhound adoption day success

Bet Right latest operator to be fined for illegal betting ads

ClubGRANTS annual returns deadline approaching

Mark your calendars for GambleAware Week 2023

Licences now cancelled for unpaid annual liquor licence fee

Independent Panel gets to work on NSW Government’s landmark gaming reforms

The Independent Panel on Gaming Reform held its inaugural meeting on 14 August 2023. The Panel is chaired by former Office of Liquor and Gaming Commissioner Michael Foggo, supported by executive members Dr Ursula Stephens and The Hon Niall Blair. 
Other members include key industry, law enforcement, community, and harm minimisation representatives. 

The Panel’s first task is to establish the framework for the cashless gaming trials it will oversee. Panel members were briefed on the cashless gaming trials already underway in NSW. 

During its first meeting, the Panel considered the important aspects to be considered as part of the trial including harm minimisation protections, anti-money laundering protections, data security and privacy protections, and requirements to enable venues to participate in trials. 

The Panel will further consider the objectives, design and framework of the trial at its next meeting in September.

Read more on the reforms

Venues prepare for September VIP signage ban

External gambling related signage is being stripped from venues across the state, following the NSW Government’s election commitment to ban all external gambling signage by 1 September.  

Since the changes were announced in May, Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors have engaged with 530 venues across 20 metropolitan and 12 regional Local Government Areas (LGAs), to provide education and support to industry to meet their new obligations. The maximum penalty attributable for those who fail to remove their signs and breach the Act is $11,000 per offence.  

Of the 530 venues visited so far, 215 were found to be already complying with the new requirements ahead of the 1 September deadline.

Read more about the signage ban

Roadshows open direct conversations with regional industries

The Hospitality and Racing Regulatory Roadshow is coming to Fairfield on Tuesday 19 September. The Fairfield event is the third in a series of roadshows, engaging local industry, sharing regulatory priorities and hearing directly from stakeholders about their perspective and challenges.   

Nearly 200 hospitality and racing industry leaders have attended previous roadshows in Newcastle and Bathurst. Following Fairfield, the Regulatory Roadshow will visit Moore Park, Sydney in October, with the final event for 2023 scheduled for Kiama in November.

Read more about our roadshows

Feedback sought on alcohol delivery reforms

Liquor & Gaming NSW is undertaking stage 2 of its review of the alcohol delivery reforms which came into effect on 1 July 2021. The reforms aimed to better regulate alcohol delivery services and address the heightened risk of minors or intoxicated people accessing those services. We want to hear from our stakeholders to find out how the reforms are working and if any potential improvements need to be made.  

Visit Have your say NSW for information on how you can provide feedback by 28 August 2023.

Have your say

Greyhound adoption day success

Australian football superstar Tim Cahill hosted the biggest greyhound adoption day ever held in Sydney, on Sunday 13 August. 

The Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) Earlwood Adoption Day matched 30 greyhounds with new families, adding to the 12 dogs which were adopted prior to the event, and received applications for another 19 adoptions on the day. The GAP program is funded by Greyhound Racing NSW and facilitates the rehoming of greyhounds at the end of their racing careers.

Read more about the day

Bet Right latest operator to be fined for illegal betting ads

Liquor & Gaming NSW continues to enforce advertising rules on online bookies, with over $1.1 million in fines for unlawful gambling ads since 2016, and another wagering company convicted and fined this month.   

Companies prosecuted in court have been fined over $830,000, while L&GNSW has issued penalty infringement notices totaling $270,000. IRPSX PTY LTD, trading as Bet Right, was the latest operator to be convicted of illegally offering boosted odds, resulting in a $20,000 fine.

Read more on the penalty

ClubGRANTS annual returns deadline approaching

Eligible clubs need to finalise and submit their 2023 ClubGRANTS annual return between 1 - 11 September 2023. 

Clubs that miss this deadline will have any profit over $1 million earned during the 2022-2023 tax year taxed at an additional 1.85%. 

Further information regarding lodgement options, and observations to date from Liquor & Gaming NSW’s current audit into the 2022 returns can be found at here.

Find out more

Mark your calendars for GambleAware Week 2023

The Office of Responsible Gambling is working with our stakeholders to plan for GambleAware Week, which will take place from 16 – 22 October 2023. 

GambleAware Week is an annual initiative to increase awareness of gambling and gambling harm in the NSW community. It is an opportunity to increase the community’s understanding of risky gambling behaviour, encourage gamblers to recognise when their gambling may place them at risk of harm, and provide information on practical ways to keep gambling under control.   

This year the theme of GambleAware Week is ‘What’s gambling costing you?’ 

Industry and community stakeholders are encouraged to get involved by promoting the campaign, hosting events or leading the way by partnering with other groups, services, and venues. If you would like information about this important campaign, please get in touch with info@responsiblegambling.nsw.gov.au.

Read more on Gamble Aware Week

Licences now cancelled for unpaid annual liquor licence fee

Liquor licences with unpaid annual liquor licence fees are now cancelled. You cannot trade with a cancelled licence.  

If you wish to use your cancelled licence, you must first apply for the reinstatement of your licence and pay a reinstatement fee in addition to your annual liquor licence fee and late payment fee. The last day to apply for a licence reinstatement is 18 September 2023. After this your licence will be permanently cancelled.

Apply for a reinstatement

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