L&GNSW to test gaming staff on harm minimisation responsibilities
Inspectors aim to ensure venues adhere to New South Wales’ gaming regulations.
Australia.- The New South Wales regulator, Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW), has announced that it will conduct a campaign this month to test gaming staff’s understanding of gaming harm minimisation (GHM) responsibilities. Inspectors will visit clubs and hotels and will talk with staff for five to 10 minutes.
They will ask questions about key topics such as self-exclusion procedures, preventing minors from accessing gaming areas, required compliance signage, inducements and promotional restrictions, gaming incident register requirements and gaming plans of management.
The L&GNSW said: “Minimising the harm associated with the operation of approved gaming machines is vital in ensuring a safe and vibrant hospitality industry within NSW. The campaign aims to understand staff knowledge of their requirements and also to raise awareness and reinforce the importance of frontline staff in upholding GHM standards.
“To ensure that gaming is conducted in a manner that prioritises minimising gaming related harm, frontline staff involved in the operation of approved gaming machines must understand key GHM requirements including holding a valid Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) competency card. Understanding these requirements ensure staff are equipped with the knowledge and awareness to meet their obligations when interacting with patrons.”
The NSW government has implemented a series of reforms, including capping the number of gaming machine entitlements, banning political donations from clubs and reducing the cash input limit on new gaming machines from AU$5,000 to AU$500.
There is a ban on external gambling signage and on the placement of gambling ads in sight of ATMs. The government has also introduced Responsible Gambling Officers for venues with more than 20 machine entitlements. Since January 1, ATMs must be situated outside of a five-meter radius of any entrance or exit of a gaming area in a hotel or club.
NSW currently has 87,789 gaming machines across clubs, hotels and the Star Casino in Sydney. That’s the most machines in Australia and 30 per cent more poker machines than Queensland and Victoria combined. For comparison, the Australian Capital Territory has 5,200 machines in clubs and hotels, and the Northern Territory 2,195 across various establishments, including casinos.
