The New South Wales’ gambling regulator, Liquor & Gaming NSW, has conducted checks across several venues in the Australian state to ensure compliance with new gaming harm minimisation measures.
Throughout July and August, 528 NSW hotels and clubs were visited by inspectors to check they were complying with the new requirements regarding responsible gaming officers, gambling incident registers, ATM signage and gaming plans of management,
These requirements are part of the authority’s commitment to “deliver evidence-based reform that helps prevent gambling harm and money laundering and supports local communities and jobs”.
The checks took place ahead of additional training requirements coming into force for senior staff of licensed venues later this year. Senior staff – club secretaries, club directors, hotel licensees, hotel managers and staff who are responsible for the management of gaming operations – will have to undertake gaming harm minimisation training.
With the training, senior staff members will be able to identify “the practical skills to identify and proactively intervene when patrons are showing signs of gambling harm”.
According to data from Liquor and Gaming NSW, since 1 July, 93% of venues are complying with new measures required, with most of the breaches being related to ATM signage requirements. Inspectors are continuing their work to make sure the industry knows of its obligations and is compliant with the new requirements.
“Inspectors are focusing on Gaming Plans of Management to ensure they have the required content included, as well as testing that the policies and procedures in the plan are being adhered to,” commented Jane Lin, Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations.
“It’s important that venues not only have a plan prepared but ensure their staff are aware of the contents and are checking to make sure it is being complied with.”
Over the past few months, gaming operations in NSW have been required to implement new measures as part of several gambling reforms.
From 1 July, venues have been required to maintain and conduct monthly reviews of a Gambling incident register, taking account of instances of potential or actual gambling harm identified in the venue. Responsible gaming officers have also been introduced in hotels and clubs with over 20 gaming machine entitlements.
Since the beginning of September, venues have been required to produce and maintain a gaming plan of management, updated at least annually.
From the beginning of next year, ATMs must be located outside of a five-metre radius of any entrance or exit of a gaming area in a hotel or club. In some cases, if a venue can’t comply with this requirement, they can seek an exemption from Liquor & Gaming NSW.
