The NSW government says almost half of the state’s licensed venues have already taken measures to comply with new laws banning the use of external gambling related signage before they officially come into effect on 1 September.
Originally announced in May, the ban relates to any external signage that indicates the presence of poker machines inside a venue, including the use of names such as VIP Room, VIP Lounge, Golden Room, Players’ Lounge and more – all terms typically used to reference the presence of poker machines – plus imagery such as dragons, coins or lightning motifs.
Venues found breaking the signage law after it comes into effect will face fines of up to AU$11,000 (US$7,300) per offence.
Providing an update on Friday, the NSW state government said inspectors from Liquor & Gaming NSW have engaged with 530 venues to provide education and support around their obligations. Of those, 215 are already complying with the new requirements ahead of the 1 September deadline.
“It’s great to see industry and government working together to prevent and reduce gambling harm in the community,” said Minister for Gaming & Racing, David Harris.
“We announced these changes back in May as a staged approach to ensure pubs and clubs were given the appropriate amount of time to conceal, remove and switch off any gambling promoting signage.
“While venues have until 1 September to comply, our expectation is that they remove signs as quickly as possible and not leave it until the last minute.
“Removing this signage is just one important part of our commitment to gambling reform to reduce harm and tackle money laundering head on in NSW, and we are delivering.”
The removal of gambling related signage is one of a raft of gambling reforms introduced across NSW in recent months, with the state government having also announced a reduction in the cash input limit for all new electronic gaming machines from $5,000 to $500, a ban on political donations from clubs involved in gaming, the introduction of Responsible Gaming Officers at venues with more than 20 machines, expansion of a third-party exclusion register to the whole state and the establishment of an independent panel of expert stakeholders to oversee the cashless gaming trial and recommend an implementation roadmap for gaming reforms.
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