L&GNSW to conduct compliance inspections
L&GNSW inspectors aim to ensure venues adhere to gaming regulations.
Australia.- The New South Wales regulator, Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW), has announced that it will conduct a compliance operation this month to ensure regional venues adhere to gaming regulations that promote responsible gambling and reduce harm. Inspectors will visit clubs and hotels to make sure venues understand and follow the rules about gambling signs and the new requirements for ATM and cash machine location.
They will also check if venues have appointed responsible gambling officers, kept Gambling Incident Registers and followed their Gaming Plans of Management.
L&GNSW acting executive director of regulatory operations Bernadette Beard said: “Our compliance operation is well underway, with inspectors visiting venues across regional NSW to ensure they are aware of their obligations.
“A key focus will be on the gaming reforms that took effect on January 1, 2025, which mandate that ATMs and other cash dispensing facilities must be positioned at least five metres from gaming room entrances or exits and kept out of sight from gaming areas and machines.”
Beard said recent inspections in Sydney and other metropolitan areas have identified multiple venues not following the rules, leading to penalties.
She added: “Since the new cash dispensing rules were introduced, L&GNSW has visited more than 900 clubs and hotels, issuing 53 cautions and three penalty infringement notices to 44 non-compliant venues, with several others under investigation. We’re here to assist venues in meeting their responsibilities, but compliance is essential, and enforcement action will be taken where required.”
Gambling losses amount to US$960 per adult in Australia, study finds
A report by Equity Economics for the Alliance for Gambling Reform and Wesley Mission has found that gambling losses in Australia for 2022-23 amounted to AU$1,527 (US$960) per adult, while total gambling losses stood at AU$31.5bn (US$19.8bn). They said gambling rose despite a rise in the costs of essential goods and services and a decline in real wages.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform and Wesley Mission urged the government to implement all 31 recommendations from the Murphy Inquiry, including a ban on gambling ads, the prohibition of gambling inducements and the introduction of a levy on gambling to fund harm reduction programmes.
They asked the government to create a national regulator and national gambling ombudsman, to enforce the closure of gambling machines between midnight and 10 am and to introduce mandatory cashless gaming.
