Australia’s L&GNSW Punishes Two Venues for Failing to Shut Down Gaming Machines

Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) gaming regulator, Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW), has penalized two venues, the Crown Hotel in Camden and East Cessnock Bowling Club, for failing to comply with mandatory gambling machine shutdown rules. A third venue received an official caution, while a fourth was referred for formal disciplinary proceedings. L&GNSW Fines Two Venues, Warns Others Earlier this year, the NSW Government abolished old exemptions that had allowed more than 650 pubs and clubs to operate gaming machines during mandatory shutdown periods. Under standard regulations, pubs and clubs must shut down gaming machines between 4 am and 10 am each day. The idea is to provide a break in play and help minimize gambling-related harm. These regulations are a part of broader efforts from the NSW regulator to further boost protection for gamblers. Speaking of which, the Minns Labor Government in NSW has unveiled a series of reforms aimed at strengthening consumer protection. Back to the current topic, while some approved exemptions allow certain venues to operate under alternative shutdown arrangements, many don’t. Since changing the rules in April of this year, the L&GNSW has inspected 51 venues across Sydney, the Hunter and the North Coast. Seventy venues are under review as inspections continue over the coming months. A further 32 venues have received education and compliance assistance in cases involving isolated or minor issues, or circumstances beyond their control. Of the 672 venues previously permitted to operate under shorter shutdown periods, many had held these exemptions for more than two decades. Said period was typically three hours rather than the standard six-hour requirement. The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA), which is a separate entity from the L&GNSW, has assessed and approved a small number of venues to retain the shorter shutdown period. Senior L&GNSW Officials Reaffirm the Regulator’s Commitment Dimitri Argeres, executive director of regulatory operations at L&GNSW, said the six-hour shutdown period was an important harm-minimization measure. He noted that while most venues reviewed had complied with their obligations, a small number of breaches had been identified. This has resulted in penalties, regulatory action and ongoing investigations. Argeres added that L&GNSW takes an intelligence-led and proportionate approach to enforcement. He explained that the regulator is working with venues to address minor or isolated compliance issues while taking stronger action against significant or repeated breaches. In other news from Australia, more than 30 politicians, organizations and gambling reform advocates have urged the Northern Territory government to introduce stronger measures to prevent gambling-related harm.