Hospitality venues across inner Sydney can keep the good times rolling later into the night during Vivid Sydney, with the NSW Government extending trading hours for three Sunday nights during the festival. From 25 May to 8 June, eligible hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, breweries and live music and performance venues in key precincts in and around the CBD can stay open until midnight on Sundays. The extensions support Vivid Sydney’s enduring popularity and give festival goers more time to enjoy the event, while boosting trade for local businesses. The initiative is part of the NSW Government’s Special Event Extended Trading program, which allows venues to stay open later during major cultural and sporting events. Get more information and a full list of venues eligible for Special Extended Trading during Vivid Sydney.
Image credit: Destination NSW
Veterans (current and former serving Australian Defence Force members) are almost twice as likely to experience gambling harm than the general population. This risk is increased for veterans who are young, male, unemployed, from junior ranks, or who have been medically discharged. To support veterans and their families, a range of new and targeted resources are now available. They offer practical information, tips on how to spot the signs of gambling harm and ways to get support when it’s needed. Download now from the GambleAware website. Thank you to our partners who helped shape these resources: Office for Veterans Affairs, RSL LifeCare, RSL NSW, Open Arms and Bravery Trust.
The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has notified The Star that its licence will remain suspended and the NICC-appointed Manager, Nick Weeks, will continue to have oversight of casino operations until 30 September 2025. Ahead of this decision, the NICC sought submissions from both The Star and the Manager in relation to The Star’s suitability. In its submissions The Star accepted that the Manager should remain in place while remediation continues and The Star implements measures to secure its finances.
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In 2023, the NSW Government took action to deliver on a key election commitment to reduce problem gambling by banning external VIP signage from pubs and clubs across the state. Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) commenced a compliance campaign to address non-compliance with laws relating to the use of external signage and advertising of gaming machines. This was accompanied by a structured education and enforcement program between May and December 2023 focusing on educating venues about their legal obligations, supporting industry compliance and ensuring signage aligns with regulatory requirements. L&GNSW has developed a new video case study outlining the staged education and enforcement approach, resulting in venues transitioning to lawful practices while protecting the community from gambling promotion.
In 2023 and 2024, the NSW Government introduced significant changes through the Vibrancy Reforms to modernise the liquor licensing framework for the night-time economy. This included simplifying entertainment sound regulation, enabling outdoor activation for dining and events and other changes to help support and grow the sector. We’re now inviting all licensed venues to share their experiences of the vibrancy reforms and how they have been impacted. This feedback is important to us and helps us evaluate the reforms and inform how we continue to best support a vibrant night-time economy across NSW.The survey closes on 10 June 2025.
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Hospitality and Racing’s Aboriginal Stakeholder Engagement Strategy was launched on Tuesday 22 April. The strategy increases the capacity of Hospitality and Racing to support the needs of Aboriginal people across New South Wales. It secures progress against Hospitality and Racing's strategic priorities and supports successful delivery of key organisational outcomes relating to Aboriginal people.
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The Hospitality and Racing Regulatory Roadshow is coming to Albury on Tuesday 20 May. Senior executives from across Hospitality and Racing NSW will gather with industry, local community and Aboriginal representatives. Event discussions will focus on liquor and gaming reforms, regulatory priorities and the night-time economy. The Roadshow offers a valuable opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers and raise region specific ideas and matters.
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