Hospitality and Racing News January 2024

The NSW Government has released a discussion paper and begun community consultation on the effectiveness of the Clubgrants scheme in delivering social benefits to the people of NSW. Running until March 18, 2024, the consultation invites input from the public, stakeholders, and participants. Clubgrants enables eligible registered clubs to contribute a portion of gaming machine profits to local community services, projects and infrastructure through grants, and receive a tax concession in return. 

A discussion paper with background information, terms of reference, and targeted questions is available, along with an optional survey. Have your say now: https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/documents/public-consultations/ClubGRANTS-Review-Discussion-Paper.pdf

The licensee of Vbar in Sydney's CBD has been fined $5,500 after L&GNSW identified an ATM in a room attached to its gaming room, contravening the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019. 

This decision comes following an escalation in enforcement action by L&GNSW in 2023, which saw 16 penalty notices issued and 13 prosecutions commenced after ATMs were found in parts of venues where gaming machines were located. 

ATMs must be located in areas completely separate to gaming rooms or any other part of a venue where gaming machines are located, even if the internal design or fit-out of the room acts to screen the ATM. This is important because having such ready access to cash withdrawals can make it easier for gamblers to lose track of what they are spending, while locating ATMs further away from gaming machines can encourage them to have a break in play. 

L&GNSW continues to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to operators breaching this requirement. Operators that fail to comply with harm minimisation requirements can expect an enforcement response in the form of large fines, potential disciplinary action, or the issue of statutory directions to require that changes be made at a venue.

On 15 January, reminders were sent to over 1,600 licensees, approved managers and club secretaries with outstanding licensee training requirements. 
Introduced in 2018 under a Tiered Industry Training Framework to better support licensees to meet their obligations under the NSW liquor laws, over 22,000 licensees have completed the training to-date.

The Licensee Training applies to most licensees, approved managers and club secretaries. The Advanced Licensee is an additional course for those who need to operate venues in a higher risk environment.

If you were approved as a licensee, manager or club secretary

• from 1 September 2018 and haven’t completed your required licensee training you must take immediate action to complete the training. 
• prior to 1 September 2018 and are required to complete licensee training before your NSW Competency card expiry date or by 1 April 2024, whichever is earlier, to remain compliant with your licence.

Find an approved training provider and complete your training as soon as possible to remain compliant with your licence.

SportChamps fined again for flouting gambling ad laws

Learn more about the fine

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris has appointed Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris has appointed Chris Bertinshaw as the Responsible Gambling Fund (RGF) Chair and two new Trustees, following a publicly advertised merit-based selection process.   

The RGF Trust advises the NSW Government on funding allocation for harm minimisation and welcomes the new appointments for three-year terms.  

Mr Bertinshaw is well suited for the role given his 30 years in governance and public health. New Trustees Anastasia Polites and Steven Gal, bring valuable expertise from their backgrounds in law and Aboriginal health.  

The Minister thanked outgoing Chair John Dalzell for his outstanding leadership of the Trust since 2017. The RGF's initiatives are overseen by the Office of Responsible Gambling.