The regulator in New South Wales (NSW) has launched a compliance blitz, revealing that 93 percent of venues are adhering to new gaming harm minimization measures.
This initiative comes ahead of upcoming training requirements for senior staff at licensed venues, aimed at fostering a culture of responsible gaming.
In July and August, Liquor & Gaming NSW’s inspectors visited 528 hotels and clubs across NSW to assess compliance with regulations concerning Responsible Gaming Officers (RGOs), gambling incident registers, ATM signage, and Gaming Plans of Management (GPOM).
These inspections are part of the NSW Government’s broader commitment to reform, aimed at preventing gambling harm and money laundering while supporting local communities and job creation.
The inspections have indicated a strong readiness among venues to embrace the new harm minimisation requirements, although most breaches reported were related to ATM signage. Inspectors will continue their efforts statewide to ensure that the industry is aware of its obligations and is compliant with the evolving regulations.
Jane Lin, Executive Director of Regulatory Operations at Liquor & Gaming NSW, emphasized the significance of these new measures. “Inspectors are focusing on Gaming Plans of Management to verify that they include the necessary content and that the policies are being followed,” she stated. “It’s crucial for venues to not only have a plan in place but to ensure their staff understand it and are ensuring compliance.”
As part of this reform, key personnel at licensed venues, including club secretaries, directors, and managers, will be required to complete training to effectively identify and intervene when patrons show signs of gambling harm.
New obligations for licensed venues include maintaining a gambling incident register from 1st July 2024, which tracks potential or actual gambling harm; appointing RGOs in venues with more than 20 gaming machine entitlements starting 1 July 2024; and developing a GPOM by 1st September 2024, with annual updates required.
Additionally, from 1st January 2025, ATMs must be situated at least five meters from any entrance or exit of a gaming area in hotels or clubs, with exemptions available from Liquor & Gaming NSW under certain conditions.
