L&GNSW to test online wagering providers on harm minimisation responsibilities
Failure to meet training requirements could result in fines.
Australia.- The New South Wales regulator, Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW), has announced that it will conduct a series of compliance checks on online wagering providers to ensure that they adhere to the training requirements and responsible gambling rules set out in the Betting and Racing Act 1998.
Under the Act, online wagering providers must conduct responsible gambling training. The inspections will focus on ensuring that all relevant staff have completed training as required. It will also check whether providers maintain detailed up-to-date records of the responsible gambling training completed.
Failure to meet requirements could result in fines of up to AU$11,000 (US$7,173.10) for individuals and AU$110,000 (US$71,731.00) for corporations.
The L&GNSW said: “The NSW Government is committed to preventing and reducing gambling harm. This commitment is a central object of NSW wagering law and a critical component of the L&GNSW’s regulatory approach.
“The National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF) for online wagering is designed to provide strong, nationally consistent minimum protections for consumers of interactive wagering services in Australia, in line with international best-practice. This includes measures requiring online wagering providers and their staff to undertake responsible gambling training.”
The L&GNSW is also conducting inspections at physical venues to test gaming staff’s understanding of gaming harm minimisation (GHM) responsibilities. Inspectors will visit clubs and hotels and ask questions about key topics such as self-exclusion procedures, preventing minors from accessing gaming areas, required compliance signage and promotional restrictions.
