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Pubs and clubs in NSW with gaming machines are now required to comply with significant new measures aimed at embedding a culture of risk minimisation into the venue to support people at risk of gambling-related harm.

Establishments with more than 20 gaming machines must now have a dedicated Responsible Gaming Officer (RGO) on duty while the gaming machines are in operation.

Under these amendments, licensed premises are also prohibited from placing any signage or advertising relating to gaming machines on or in a manner visible from an automatic teller machine (ATM) or EFTPOS terminal.

Any sign advertising or providing directions to ATMs or EFTPOS terminals may also not be visible from a gaming machine or any part of a gaming area.

Establishments will have a one-month grace period to ensure they comply with the new ATM signage rules before enforcement measures begin in August.

The NSW Government has consulted with industry and stakeholders on the new requirements.

Establishments will be responsible for identifying and training appropriate staff to fulfil the role of responsible gaming officers, who will help identify and support customers displaying concerning gaming behaviour, provide referrals to gaming support services and facilitate self-exclusion requests.

The number of agents required to be on duty will be staggered according to the number of gaming machines an establishment has.

Establishments will also be required to maintain a gambling incident log to record details of events, including where a customer displays behaviour that indicates they are at risk of or suffer gambling-related harm, and any requests for self-exclusion.

Further changes will be implemented from 1 January 2025, when all ATMs will be required to:

• Be located at least five meters from the entrance to a gaming room or an area where gaming machines are located.
• Not visible from:
  • The entrance to a game room, or an area or room where game machines are located.
  • A gaming machine.

Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors have already begun visiting premises across the state to ensure they are aware of the new July 1 requirements and will provide further advice to the industry on the changes that apply from January 1, 2025.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said: “We know that gaming machines pose the most serious risk of gambling-related harm, affecting individuals and their loved ones.

“The NSW Government is committed to implementing gambling reform to reduce these harms, including the introduction of responsible gambling officers in pubs and clubs, and changes to the location and visibility of ATMs in venues.

“Responsible Gambling Officers will work to identify customers who are most at risk or already experiencing gambling-related harm, check on their wellbeing and refer them to support services if necessary.

“Having ATMs further away from the gaming machines encourages a clean break in the game for customers who might lose track of what they are spending.

“We will closely monitor compliance in these areas to see if we need to consider further strengthening laws to minimise risk.”

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