Liquor & Gaming NSW Has Released its Key Priorities

L&G NSW has created five key priorities that have shaped action items and deliverables within its delivery plan. These priorities build on outcomes from the L&G NSW as well as respond to emerging risks that have been identified. 

The five priorities are:

 Ensuring safety at major or high-risk events, festivals and precincts.

• Working with regional and vulnerable communities.
• Reducing the impact of alcohol in the community.
• Reducing gambling harm.
• Ensuring responsible governance, operator integrity and financial accountability. 

 Whilst some of the priorities may be more relevant for other parts of the hospitality industry, the key deliverables, actions and measures that are relevant to the club industry are below. 

 Compliance and Enforcement 

 L&G NSW will continue with its compliance monitoring on all aspects of club operations including gaming harm minimisation, club governance requirements, responsible service of alcohol training, liquor service and promotions. 

Whilst these campaigns and compliance activities will take different levels of enforcement and approach by L&G NSW, clubs must continue prioritising compliance with these obligations.

As a side note, as part of Hospitality and Racing NSW's key priorities for January to June 2024, a summary of key dates for compliance and enforcement has been provided, including which regions are being targeted.These dates are available below:

•    Q1 regional inspection program (Sapphire Coast): Tathra, Merimbula, Pambula, Broadwater and Eden in February 2024.
•    Q2 regional inspection program: Dubbo, Narromine, Nyngan, Cobar, Noona, Wilcannia and Broken Hill in May 2024.

A full summary of key dates is available here.

Ensuring responsible governance, operator integrity and financial accountability 

L&G NSW will focus on ensuring clubs understand and meet governance requirements, particularly small to medium-sized clubs and will be undertaking various enforcement and compliance activity. 

Under the Registered Clubs Act 1976 and Registered Clubs Regulations 2015, there are requirements relating to the disclosure of information to members and The Accountability Code. ClubsNSW also has the Governance Code of Practice, which set out common standards for the conduct of clubs, with a specific focus on corporate governance. L&G NSW will be using these requirements as a key benchmark when operating compliance and educational campaigns. 

L&G is also reviewing the ClubGRANTS system which is a key deliverable in their delivery plan. ClubsNSW released a ClubLIFE article with the most recent update on this review, available here.

Reducing the impact of alcohol in the community and gaming harm 

L&G NSW will also focus on reducing the impact of alcohol in the community. L&G will continue running a targeted compliance program and inspections on the responsible service of alcohol as well as monitoring of related promotions (including liquor and event promotions). 

There will also be specific campaigns and deliverables about reducing gaming harm within the community. This will include reviewing published gambling advertising, member communications and the types of loyalty schemes available in venues. They will also be undertaking several campaigns focusing on compliance monitoring for electronic gaming machines. 

Gaming harm is a key focus, and this is a good chance to reminder that clubs should be well underway implementing the ClubsNSW Gaming Code of Practice. Further information on this is available here.  

L&G NSW will put focus on Keno and Lotteries, particularly in relation to reviewing controlled contracts, system integrity, preventing minor access and probity of key employees.  

Working with regional and vulnerable communities 

L&G NSW is looking to enhance their engagement with regional and vulnerable communities. There is an increased risk of harm in regional communities as a result of lower levels of regulatory supervision due to the geographical dispersion. 

As part of their priority, L&G NSW will enhance engagement with key external stakeholders and parties to understand better the risks and harms in regional and vulnerable communities. L&G will also be looking to conduct educative engagements and convert inspections on all licenced premises types in these areas to support them in meeting their obligations. 

ClubsNSW will put out more information over the next few months on the key priorities for clubs to help members understand and meet their compliance objectives and obligations. In the meantime, if you have any questions about these priorities or need advice on your club and compliance, please contact our ClubASSIST team or L&G NSW.