The NSW gambling regulator has fined the licensee of an inner Sydney pub after it was found guilty of breaching regulations by placing an ATM in the same part of the venue as its gaming machines.
Vbar on Liverpool St in Sydney’s CBD had placed the ATM in an “ATM Room” attached to its gaming room with large text reading “ATM” also displayed across the door to the room, on the gaming room side, according to Liquor & Gaming NSW. The licensee was subsequently fined AU$5,500 by the Local Court, marking the 13th prosecution for ATM location breaches since Liquor & Gaming NSW began an enforcement crackdown last year.
Executive Director Regulatory Operations Jane Lin said the position of the ATM was a clear breach of the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019, which stipulates that a licensee must not permit a cash dispensing facility to be located in a part of a hotel or a club premises in which approved gaming machines are located.
“ATMs must be located in a part of the venue completely separate to gaming rooms or any other part of a venue where gaming machines are located, even if the internal design or fit-out of the room acts to screen the ATM,” Lin said.
“This is important because having such ready access to cash withdrawals can make it easier for gamblers to lose track of what they are spending, while locating ATMs further away from gaming machines can encourage them to have a break in play.
“These requirements are clearly outlined in the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019 and have been further communicated to licensees in an effort to prevent and minimize gambling harm.
“Liquor & Gaming NSW has a zero-tolerance approach for venue operators who do not comply with fundamental gaming harm minimization measures.”
The regulator said it has conducted 437 inspections at high-risk hotels and clubs since 1 December 2023 and will continue to closely monitor these gaming venues.
Other areas of focus include the availability of credit from ATMs on the premises of a venue; the visibility of internal gaming-related signage from outside the venue; hotel layouts that compel patrons to pass through a gaming room to access another area; ensuring that self-exclusion signage is present in gaming rooms; and minors in gaming rooms or using gaming machines or electronic betting terminals.
“Most venues in NSW are complying with these measures but there are still too many that don’t take the necessary steps to protect their patrons from gambling harm,” Lin said.
“Any operators who attempt to circumvent the legislation will be met with a strong enforcement response.”
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