Centralised Monitoring System (CMS)
> About the Centralised Monitoring System (CMS)
>
How does the CMS work?
> Data Monitoring Service (DMS) Obligations
> Venue Obligations
> Technician Obligations
> Office of State Revenue (DSR) Obligations
> Contact Information
> Other Useful Information
About the Centralised Monitoring System
The Centralised Monitoring System (CMS) commenced operation for assessment purposes on 1 December 2001. Maxgaming NSW Pty Ltd, a Tattersall’s Company, currently holds the licence to operate the CMS.
Data Monitoring Services (DMS), a division of Maxgaming NSW Pty Ltd, operates the CMS and uses it to monitor and report the performance of all gaming machines in New South Wales. DMS uses this information to assess the gaming machine tax due for each of the states' more than 3,000 gaming venues. DMS also provides the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing with gaming machine integrity information.
Our office provides the CMS with daily updates on changes to premises contact details (licensees, business owners etc) and gaming machine entitlements.
Our office's CMS Business Unit:
- receives and analyses the gaming machine performance information collected by DMS
- ensures that DMS keeps within the terms of the CMS licence and service level agreement
- reviews and reassesses the gaming machine tax payable, and
- resolves any disputes between venues and DMS.
The Office of State Revenue (OSR) collects all gaming machine tax payable.
How does the CMS work?
All gaming machines, including Linked Progressive Jackpot Controllers, are required to be electronically connected to the CMS. To enable this to occur each gaming machine has a Gaming Machine Interface Card (GMIC) installed, which in turn, is connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) that is connected to a CMS site controller. This is a computer that is located in the cabinet or the CMS rack in each venue.
The GMIC records and stores meter readings as the gaming machine emits them. The reading may also include unusual events as they occur. These are known as integrity events and include such events as a RAM reset. At 15 minute intervals, these readings and events are forwarded to the CMS site controller.
Each day at 10am the GMIC also takes a freeze meter reading. This reading forms the basis for compiling reports and calculating metered profit of each gaming machine. Each day the meter readings and integrity events are forwarded from each CMS site controller to the CMS central computer. The transfer of data occurs automatically.
The CMS identifies machines by their unique GMID (Gaming Machine Identification) number, not the serial number displayed on the compliance plate. It is therefore extremely important that the correct GMID is entered into each gaming machine.
DMS obligations
DMS are required to perform the following functions:
- calculate gaming machine tax
- collect meter reading information from gaming machines
- collect integrity events collect configuration records from all gaming machines.
DMS is required by legislation and the terms of the CMS licence not to release any CMS Information to any parties other than those defined by the legislation (the Gaming Machines Act 2002).
DMS provides:
- a gaming performance statement to all venues. This statement provides information detailing the performance of each gaming machine operated by the venue during the month
- a monthly invoice for payment of the CMS monitoring fee. The monitoring fee invoice is generated by DMS on the first business day of each month for the previous month. The invoice details how the fee was calculated. More details on the calculation of the monitoring fee can be found at the Maxgaming website www.maxgaming.com.au
- a CMS gaming tax invoice 14 days after the end of each tax quarter.
Venue obligations
It is a condition of your hotel or club licence to do the following:
- you must pay the gaming machine tax that will be collected by direct debit by the Office of State Revenue (OSR) on day 21 after the end of the tax quarter
- you must also pay the monitoring fee that will be collected by direct debit by DMS on day seven (or the next business day) after the end of each month
- all gaming machines must be electronically connected to the CMS at all times unless you have specific approval to do otherwise. Refer to the factsheet,
Centralised Monitoring System [CMS] - Connectivity Arrangements (271 kb). - if DMS request that you take action to ensure that a gaming machine is connected to the CMS, you must take appropriate action to comply with that request within two working days of receiving such request
- you are still required to maintain appropriate records for internal controls and for compliance with the relevant legislation for reporting purposes (to the club board or otherwise)
- you are also required to permit access and give assistance to the employees and agents of DMS to establish and maintain to connection between your gaming machines and the CMS.
As a venue operator you must:
- ensure the connection to the CMS of all gaming machines, including progressive controllers operated at your venue. You must ensure that this connection is maintained by checking your CMS site controller regularly. Details of how to do this can be found in the CMS Operational Handbook available for downloading from the Maxgaming www.maxgaming.com.au If you require assistance with checking your CMS site controller please contact the DMS Helpdesk on 1800 307 551
- ensure that the CMS site controller has power at all times
- ensure that the licensed technicians that attend your venue understand your legislative obligations. Technicians, like venue operators, should use the CMS site controller as a tool to actively check if all gaming machines are communicating with the CMS. It is in your interest to request the technician to certify that all gaming machines have been reconnected to the CMS correctly at the conclusion of any work they perform. CMS connectivity certificates can be purchased from our office.
The CMS Operational Handbook provides full details of how to meet your responsibilities and is available for downloading from the Maxgaming www.maxgaming.com.au
Technician obligations
After a technician has performed any work on a gaming machine the technician must:
- ensure that the gaming machine is connected to the CMS prior to the gaming machine being operated for the purposes of gambling. An offence occurs if the technician does not ensure that the gaming machine is communicating with CMS. A maximum penalty of $11,000 may apply to each offence. Alternatively, an infringement notice may be issued for $1,100
- if it is not practicable for the approved gaming machines to be connected to the CMS, the technician does not commit an offence if the technician completes a CMS connectivity certificate that records the details of the gaming machine concerned, the reason why it cannot be connected and the person who has responsibility for ensuring the connection to the CMS. The CMS connectivity certificate must be in the form approved by the Director of Liquor and Gaming.
Office of State Revenue (OSR) obligations
The OSR is required to:
- issue reassessment invoices
- approve payment arrangements
- collect the gaming machine tax on the 21st day after the end of each tax quarter via direct debit.
Who do I contact?
- CMS Connectivity - call the DMS Help Desk on 1800 307 551, Monday to Sunday, 24 hours, if you have CMS connectivity issues.
- Assessment - call the DMS Help Desk on 1800 307 551, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm, about the assessment of gaming machine tax or other CMS issues.
- Visit the Maxgaming website www.maxgaming.com.au for useful information and answers to frequently asked questions.
- Payment - call the Office of State Revenue about the payment and collection of tax, and any alternate payment arrangements, on 1300 368 817.
Penalties and interest may accrue for late payments.
- Reassessment - call the office's CMS Business Unit for any issue concerning tax reassessment:
Telephone - (02) 9995 0411, 0791, 0468
Facsimile - (02) 9995 0878
Email -
cms-bu@olgr.nsw.gov.au
Mail - CMS Business Unit, GPO Box 7060, Sydney 2001
Other useful information
- Tax rates for gaming machines - hotels - Tax rates for gaming machines - clubs
Direct debit authorities - both authorities are to be completed when transferring a hotel licence
- Centralised Monitoring System [CMS] - Connectivity Arrangements - these arrangements have been approved by the Minister to enable clubs and hotels to fulfil their legislative requirement to have all their gaming machines connected to the CMS. It includes arrangements for circumstances such as during renovations, natural disasters, routine maintenance and during fault rectification.
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