All New South Wales pubs and clubs with more than 20 electronic gaming machines will from this week be required to comply with new harm minimization measures, including the presence of a dedicated Responsible Gambling Officer (RGO) on duty whenever machines are in operation.
The new measures, which came into effect from 1 July, from part of the government’s efforts to address the issue of gambling harm, which has become a key political issue in the wake of recent inquiries into The Star Sydney and the proliferation of gaming machines in the state’s pubs and clubs.
Under the changes, licensed venues are also banned from placing any signage or advertising relating to gaming machines either on, or visible from, an ATM or EFTPOS terminal, while signage giving direction to ATMs or EFTPOS terminals will also not be allowed to be visible from a gaming machine or any part of a gaming area.
Venues will be responsible for identifying and training suitable staff to fulfil the role of Responsible Gambling Officers, who will help identify and support patrons displaying concerning gambling behaviour, make referrals to gambling support services and facilitate requests for self-exclusion.
The number of officers required to be on duty will be scaled depending on the number of gaming machine entitlements a venue has.
Venues will also be required to keep a Gambling Incident Register to record details of occurrences including where a patron displays behavior that indicates they are at risk of, or are experiencing gambling harm, and any requests for self-exclusion.
Further changes will be rolled out from 1 January 2025, when all ATMs must be located at least five meters from the entry to a gaming room or area where gaming machines are located and must not be visible from the entry to a gaming room or from any area where gaming machines are located.
“We know that gaming machines represent the most serious risk of gambling harm, impacting individuals and their loved ones,” said Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris.
“The NSW Government is committed to implementing gambling reform to reduce these harms, including this introduction of Responsible Gambling Officers in pubs and clubs, and changes to the placement and visibility of ATMs in venues.
“Responsible Gambling Officers will work to identify those patrons most at risk, or who are already experiencing gambling harm, check on their wellbeing and help refer them to support services if required.
“Having cash dispensing facilities further away from gaming machines encourages a clean break in play for patrons who may be losing track of what they are spending.
“We’ll be monitoring compliance in these areas closely to see if we need to look at strengthening harm minimisation laws even further.”
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