As part of a suite of gaming reforms to identify and support patrons at risk of gambling harm, the NSW Government has committed to the introduction of Responsible Gambling Officers (RGOs) into hotels and clubs with more than 20 gaming machine entitlements.
The new requirements, which commence 1 July 2024, will be implemented through amendments to the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019.
Venues are required to:
All hotel and club staff, including those working on the floor and senior management, have a shared responsibility to proactively engage with patrons and monitor them for potential gambling harm. An RGO will be expected to have a higher level of responsibility than other gaming staff on the floor.
The purpose of RGOs is to promote proactive gambling harm minimisation.
RGOs will be required at all times when gaming machines are in operation. The number of RGOs a venue must have is scaled depending on the number of gaming machine entitlements a venue holds to ensure adequate supervision of patrons gambling on gaming machines.
Any time gaming machines are operating between midnight and 8am, at least one (1) RGO must be primarily focused on the RGO duties. This is to minimise the increased risk of gambling harm late at night.
The number of RGOs a venue must have on duty is summarised below:
Number of Gaming Machine Entitlements
Number of Responsible Gambling Officers (RGOs) Required
Requirements between midnight and 8am ('late-night')
Between 21 – 99
One (1) RGO on duty when gaming machines are in operation
One (1) nominated RGO to be primarily focused on RGO duties
Between 100 – 299
Two (2) RGOs on duty when gaming machines are in operation
300 or more
Three (3) RGOs on duty when gaming machines are in operation
Two (2) nominated RGOs to be primarily focused on RGO duties
If your venue holds Gaming Machine Entitlements (GMEs), but does not have any gaming machines in operation, you do not need to have Responsible Gambling Officers on duty. You do not need to apply for this exemption.
Registered clubs can apply for a variation to the requirement for the number of RGOs onsite at any one time.
To qualify for a variation, a club must demonstrate that they have less gaming machines connected to the Central Monitoring System (CMS) than GMEs held, and that this arrangement will remain in place for at least 3-months.
Approval for a variation can be for a period up to 12-months.
To qualify, a club must indicate that they will operate no more than 75 gaming machines to have one (1) RGO onsite. Venues that indicate they will operate no more than 224 gaming machines can have two (2) RGO’s onsite.
To apply for a variation please complete the application form. The application form must be downloaded once completed, then signed by the club Secretary, and submitted to gaming.applications@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au
RGOs will have a range of duties, including (but not limited to):
Before midnight, RGOs can carry out other duties around the premises in addition to their RGO responsibilities. However, they must still be able to carry out their RGO responsibilities, including monitoring the area of the venue with gaming machines or responding to issues escalated to them by other employees.
RGOs will also be protected from adverse action by their employer for carrying out their role and will have a right to report harm minimisation breaches.
The role of a “nominated RGO” after midnight is to actively monitor the part of the venue with gaming machines.
RGOs “primarily focused” on their duties are permitted to perform other tasks that allow them to continue supervising areas in the venue with gaming machines. This includes duties that allow RGOs to interact with, and monitor, patrons playing gaming machines.
Other tasks an RGO “primarily focused” on their duties can undertake include:
These are just examples - the tasks an RGO “primarily focused” on their duties may undertake will depend on the circumstances of each venue.
Frequently asked questions are available.
The introduction of Responsible Gambling Officers also includes a new approach to training, to help minimise gambling harm.
RCG
ARCG
Responsible Gambling Board Oversight Training*
Currently:
All staff involved in conduct of activities involving approved gaming machines, including hotel licensees and club secretaries
By 31 December 2024:
By 30 June 2024:
By 30 September 2024:
By 30 June 2025:
(unless they opt to complete RCG by 31 December 2024 and ARCG by 30 June 2025)
*The requirement will be to complete a Responsible Gambling Board Oversight that has been approved by L&G NSW.
Find an approved training provider. ARCG can be completed online in a virtual-classroom format.