Alcohol seized from unlicensed North Ryde venue
Newcastle hotel out of pocket $7,540 for gaming machine offences
Reminder to complete your outstanding licensee training
Second Star inquiry to revisit Bell findings
NICC delivery report out now
Standards non-negotiable for casino special employees
Licencing Fee Changes
New requirements to commence on 1 July 2024
No smoking means No Vaping resources
Live Performance Venue Grant Program
Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors have seized almost 100 bottles of alcohol from a North Ryde venue caught selling liquor without a licence. Mad Down Under Bar and Grill North Ryde does not hold a liquor licence, but allegedly sold alcohol to the inspectors during a covert operation on Wednesday 6 March after receiving previous warnings from Liquor & Gaming NSW officers and NSW Police. Selling alcohol without a licence is one of the most serious offences under the Liquor Act 2007, attracting fines of up to $11,000, one year in jail, or both. Venues are reminded that Liquor & Gaming NSW conducts both overt and covert compliance operations to check for venues selling alcohol without a licence and takes strong enforcement action against unlicensed sellers.
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A Newcastle hotel has been fined $7,540 after being convicted of operating gaming machines outside authorised hours. The licensee of the Royal Inn Hotel at Waratah pleaded guilty to 13 offences under the Gaming Machines Act 2001 in Downing Centre Local Court on 11 March, following an investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW. Apart from breaching the state’s gaming laws, the Royal Inn Hotel placed its patrons at greater risk of gambling harm. Venues that fail to abide by gaming machine trading hours can expect to be caught and face significant penalties.
Read more about the offences
The new licensee training courses introduced in 2018 support licensees to meet their obligations under the NSW liquor laws, while ensuring a vibrant and safe venue. Over 22,000 licensees have completed the training to date. If you were approved as a licensee, manager or club secretary prior to 1 September 2018, or after this date and have not completed your licensee training as required, you must act immediately to complete the training before 1 April 2024. Failing to complete the training before that date may represent an offence, and we will be undertaking a compliance campaign focused on ensuring that training is completed and investigating any breaches of the training requirements. Find an approved training provider now and complete the training to remain compliant with your licence.
Complete your training now
The NICC has announced a second inquiry into The Star, to investigate the Sydney casino’s suitability before the independent manager’s appointment expires on 30 June. The NICC has appointed Adam Bell SC to determine whether The Star has taken sufficient steps to have its suspended licence reinstated.
Read more about the inquiry
The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has published its six-monthly delivery report which provides a snapshot of work delivered against its strategic plan. Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said the NICC has come a long way in a short period of time but the effort to rebuild the NSW casino industry is ongoing. “Intensive groundwork was needed to rebuild casino regulation to the extent recommended by the inquiries,” Mr Crawford said. “We have tightened regulatory controls and enhanced our supervisory tools to make it harder and less attractive for criminals to exploit the industry and for casinos to take on risky customers or ignore potential harms.”
Read the report now
The NICC has finalised eight casino special employee (CSE) matters where disciplinary action taken included censure, as well as cancelling licences and banning licensees from undertaking CSE work. The matters, which span both Crown Sydney and The Star, were self-reported by the casinos to Liquor & Gaming NSW and, after investigation, referred to the NICC for determination.
Learn more
The Annual Liquor Licence Fees (ALLF) base fee for licensees has been increased to support a range of initiatives under the Government’s Vibrancy Reforms. The compliance history risk loading has also increased, but only venues with a demerit point pay the compliance loading fee. This increase took effect on 15 March 2024 and will be applied to the upcoming 2024 ALLF cycle. ALLF notices will be sent to licensees on Monday 25 March 2024 with payment due on 29 May 2024. For more information on ALLF please visit: Annual liquor licence fees. For more information on the benefits for licensees from the reforms, please visit: Vibrancy Reforms – What’s Changing.
From 1 July 2024, hotels and clubs with gaming machines will need to implement new requirements. Hotels and clubs with more than 20 gaming machines will need to appoint Responsible Gambling Officers (RGOs). RGOs will be required to have completed Advanced Responsible Conduct of Gambling Training before 1 July 2024. Please arrange your training now to ensure your RGOs have the skills required for the role. The number of RGOs required will depend on the number of Gaming Machine Entitlements held by a venue. From 1 July all venues will gaming machines will also be required to:
The new requirements will be implemented through amendments to the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019.
Learn more about the requirements
Under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000, use of e-cigarettes (vaping) is banned in all smoke-free areas. NSW Health has created posters, including electronic and printed copies, to raise awareness that vaping is banned in all smoke-free areas. The posters can be downloaded or print copies are available to order for free on the NSW Health website. The poster does not replace ‘No Smoking’ mandatory signage under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000. More information about smoke-free laws can be found on the NSW Health website
The Live Performance Venue Grant, the second phase of the Live Performance Venue Program, is open now until 2pm on Wednesday, 3 April 2024. The grant aims to provide support to hospitality venues looking to incorporate live performance into their everyday offering, increasing the amount and diversity of live performances in the night-time economy. Join the Live Performance Venue Program team for an upcoming information session to gain an overview of the Grant program, how to apply for grants up to $80,000 (ex-GST) and eligibility requirements, followed by a Q&A. The information session will be held on: Tuesday, 19 March 2024 Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm Location: Online (Microsoft Teams)
Register now
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