Hospitality and Racing News October 2023

In this issue

Vibrancy reforms to re-energise Sydney’s nightlife and music scene

Bumper month for extended trading hours

Gambling signage cleanup blitz

New campaign shines a spotlight on safe drinking this summer

Sydney Metro Roadshow is ready to roll

Crackdown on illegal gambling inducements

Liquor accord forum success

Vibrancy reforms to re-energise Sydney’s nightlife and music scene

A package of reforms introduced to Parliament last week propose to help foster a safe, vibrant and diverse going out culture that empowers local communities to offer authentic night-time experiences and rewards business for innovating and backing our creative talent.

The NSW Government’s 24-Hour Economy Legislation (Vibrancy Reforms) Amendment Bill 2023 aims to encourage the return of music, live performance, local street life and a vibrant night life that doesn’t come at the expense of safety.

Proposed changes include the NSW Government establishing Liquor and Gaming NSW as the lead regulator of entertainment sound-related complaints for licensed premises, to streamline the complaints process from a current duplicative and multiple agency approach.

A common-sense approach to risk is also proposed in relation to liquor regulation, removing outdated rules, and beginning work to streamline planning and licensing processes.

Learn more about the reforms

Bumper month for extended trading hours

this is an image of a Hospitality Venue Licensed venues are the big winners during the month of October thanks to the NSW Government’s special event extending trading hours. These will apply to pubs and clubs that screen a series of major sporting and cultural events.

A series of special event extended trading nights will continue through until the Rugby World Cup final on 29 October.

Find out more about extended trading hours

Gambling signage cleanup blitz

A month-long compliance blitz has found almost 99% of pubs and clubs inspected in NSW are now free of external gambling-related signage.

During the September compliance program, Liquor and Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) inspected over 1100 venues across 35 metropolitan and 8 regional Local Government Areas (LGAs). This represents just over 50% of all venues in NSW with an entitlement to hold gaming machines.

A zero-tolerance approach from 1 December 2023 will be implemented, with penalties up to $11,000 per offence for non-compliance.

Learn more about the inspections

New campaign shines a spotlight on safe drinking this summer

This is an image of the Think Safe to Drink Safe Campaign The NSW Government is urging people to Think Safe to Drink Safe this summer.

It comes as new data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found a 20% increase in recorded incidents of food or drink spiking between July 2022 to June 2023.

By encouraging people to Think Safe to Drink Safe, the NSW Government is taking a proactive approach to educating both patrons and venue staff on safe drinking behaviours, as well as providing tips on mitigating any potential risks to personal safety.

Venues are encouraged to download the Think Safe to Drink Safe toolkit and utilise the free content and assets to help educate staff and patrons and ensure a safe environment for all.

Download the toolkit

Sydney Metro Roadshow is ready to roll

this is an image of a person giving a presentation Liquor and Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) is busily preparing for the delivery of the fourth Regulatory Roadshow on the 30 October at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Tickets are still available here for those who would like to attend.

The Regulatory Roadshows have been overwhelming embraced by the Hospitality & Racing community, with nearly four hundred attendees coming along to these events to hear from the L&GNSW executive team and network with their peers.

The final Roadshow for this year will be held in Kiama on 14 November. Learn more about these events and the experience of attendees here.

Crackdown on illegal gambling inducements

Wagering companies Tabcorp and Baggy Bet have been convicted and fined for offering betting inducements.

In a ruling at the Downing Centre Local Court on 22 September, wagering giant Tabcorp Holdings Limited was convicted and fined $15,000 for offering an inducement to people without a betting account. Tabcorp was found guilty of advertising a promotion via its website which included an inducement to participate in a gambling activity. Publications or communications of inducement to non-account holders are prohibited in NSW.

On 10 October wagering company Mailbag Wagering Pty Ltd (trading as Baggy Bet) was convicted and fined a total of $2,200 for inducement offences published on social media platforms.

The cases serve as a reminder of the importance of adhering to advertising regulations and robust internal controls in the betting industry.

this is an image of a Liquor Accords Meeting

The second Liquor Accord Forum for 2023 was held on 10 October in Sydney.

More than 125 delegates from across NSW came together to hear from representatives from a number of accords who have rolled out unique initiatives and campaigns to address issues in their local areas. Panel discussions covered regulatory operations and compliance, multi-venue barring and attracting and retaining members.

The forum provided a valuable opportunity for Liquor Accord executive and members to network with peers and share insights. Delegates commented on the relevance of content from the array of presenters, with true collaboration and sharing on show.

Subscribe and share

Subscribe to our Hospitality and Racing newsletter.

Back to news