Between July 2024 and October 2024, Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) carried out inspections to provide education on, and assess compliance with, Gaming Reform requirements across hotels and clubs. Checks conducted included the requirement to have a Gaming Plan of Management (GPOM), a Gaming Incident Register, Responsible Gambling Officer/s (RGO) on duty and the removal of ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) directional signage.
Compliance inspections were conducted across Sydney and regional NSW with extremely positive outcomes. See below:
While 92% of venues had a GPOM, a lower rate of compliance (70%) was observed with certain requirements of the GPOM not being met.
There are a number of records that make up the GPOM. It is important venues understand what is required. L&GNSW inspections observed some venues had failed to include:
L&GNSW will continue to monitor compliance with the GPOM requirements.
For more information, refer to the Gaming Plan of Management Factsheet.
As part of reforms to strengthen gambling harm minimisation requirements in NSW, changes to the location of cash dispensing facilities in hotels and clubs with gaming machines were introduced on 1 July 2024. These changes are enforceable from 1 January 2025.
This reform is a fundamental harm minimisation requirement designed to provide patrons with a break in play.
Cash dispensing facilities are ATMs or EFTPOS with cash withdrawal facilities.
More information on your obligations can be found in the Compliance Campaign paper and on the changes to cash dispensing facility signage and location in gaming venues web page.
More information, including how to apply for an exemption, can be found on the 5 metre radius rule exemption form
L&GNSW will be undertaking engagements in early December 2024 to educate and support venues before enforcing the new changes from 1 January 2025.
L&GNSW will be undertaking compliance testing at venues throughout January 2025.
From February 2025 a zero-tolerance approach will be taken to any instances of non-compliance.
Your venue may be inspected, and you should ensure you are complying with all requirements that apply to cash dispensing facilities.
If your venue does not comply with the cash dispensing facility location requirements you may be fined to up $5,500 for each offence under the Act and L&GNSW will consider taking disciplinary action under the Gaming Machines Act 2001 where breaches are identified.
To support industry to meet their regulatory obligations, L&GNSW is hosting a webinar on Tuesday 26 November between 10am - 11am.
The webinar will cover:
Visit our webinars web page to register and find further information.
