New South Wales inspections find strong compliance with gambling reforms

Liquor & Gaming NSW reported high levels of staff awareness and operational compliance following inspections across 335 venues.

Australia.- Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) has reported a recent compliance campaign aimed at assessing how effectively venues are implementing the state’s gambling harm minimisation reforms. The reform package implemented between July 2024 and June 2025 introduced Responsible Gambling Officers, Gambling Incident Registers, Gaming Plans of Management, Advanced Responsible Conduct of Gambling training, and new signage and visibility requirements for gaming areas and cash machines.

Over the past two months, inspectors visited 335 clubs and hotels across metropolitan Sydney, speaking with 487 gaming staff members to evaluate their understanding of responsible gambling obligations and their ability to identify and respond to signs of gambling-related harm.

Some 95 per cent of staff answered all questions correctly. Most could clearly identify the location of their Gaming Plan of Management and Gambling Incident Register and understood what was required to be recorded. 

Dimitri Argeres, executive director of Regulatory Operations at L&GNSW, said: “Frontline gaming staff play a critical role in identifying the indicators of gambling harm and are well placed to engage with patrons and to provide support and resources. These inspections supported staff by testing their knowledge in a practical, hands-on way, making sure the reforms are understood and the need to prevent gambling harm is operationalised as part of everyday practice.”

As for ATM placement regulations, L&GNSW has issued 11 fines across since October due to ATMs positioned within five metres of gaming area entrances or exits. In one case on Christmas Eve, the regulator issued a statutory direction preventing a Sydney hotel from operating any cash dispensing facilities until it met compliance requirements.

An independent evaluation of the reform rollout is underway led by Ipsos Public Affairs with CQUniversity.

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Liquor & Gaming NSW reported high levels of staff awareness and operational compliance following inspections across 335 venues. Australia.- Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) has reported a recent compliance campaign aimed at assessing how effectively venues are implementing the state’s gambling harm minimisation reforms. The reform package implemented between July 2024 and June 2025 introduced…