Responsible gambling
The office's mission is the proper conduct and balanced development, in the public interest, of the gaming, racing, liquor and charity industries in NSW.
One important way the office promotes the public interest is through an emphasis on ensuring that gambling activities are conducted responsibly so that harm associated with excessive gambling is minimised. We also administer funds allocated by the Trustees of the Responsible Gambling Fund for gambling-related research and awareness campaigns, as well as a network of gambling counselling and treatment services throughout the State.
This page briefly outlines some of the key measures in place to promote responsible gambling in NSW and provides links to other more detailed material on this site and elsewhere.
IPART report into gambling, and the government's response
On 19 May 2005 the NSW Government released its response to recommendations made by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) on a range of responsible gambling issues. [Read more about IPART]
Responsible gambling legislation
Much of the legislation administered within the office, contains provisions generally designed to promote responsible gambling practices:
- Part 4 of the Gaming Machines Act 2001 contains the range of gambling harm minimisation measures relevant to machine gaming in registered clubs and hotels, including provisions relating to social impact assessments, the mandatory shutting down of gaming machines, and specific provisions relating to minors. Part 2 of the Act contains the limitation on gaming machine numbers in clubs and hotels.
- Part 3 of the Gaming Machines Regulation 2002 contains more detailed requirements about responsible gambling practices and other harm minimisation measures, including provisions relating to player information, and cheques and cash dispensing arrangements.
- Part 5 of the Casino Control Act 1992 contains several general responsible gambling requirements applicable to the Sydney casino, while Part 6 relates to controls relevant to minors and Part 8 establishes the Casino Community Benefit Fund.
- Part 4 of the Casino Control Regulation 2001 contains more detailed requirements about responsible gambling practices, including those relating to junkets and inducements, player information, advertising, and problem gambling counselling services.
- Part 6 of the Public Lotteries Act 1996 contains some general provisions relating to advertising, credit and minors in relation to commercial lotteries and keno games, while Part 3 of the Public Lotteries Regulation 2002 details a range of requirements for responsible gambling practices that relevant operators must comply with.
- Part 7 of the Totalizator Act 1997 contains some general provisions relating to credit and minors in relation to wagering through TAB outlets or through on-course totalizators, while Part 3 of the Totalizator Regulation 2002 details a range of requirements for responsible gambling practices that relevant operators must comply with, including the provision of problem gambling signage and information and controls relating to advertising and inducements.
- Part 5 of the Racing Administration Act 1998 contains a general responsible gambling regulation-making power, while Part 2 of the Racing Administration Regulation 1999 details a range of requirements for responsible gambling practices that must take place on licensed racecourses, including the provision of problem gambling signage and information and controls relating to gambling advertising and inducements.
Obligations of hotels and registered clubs
Responsible Conduct of Gambling Course
It is a requirement of the Gaming Machines Act 2001 for proposed hoteliers, secretary managers and staff who will have gaming machine related functions to have completed the NSW Responsible Conduct of Gambling Course (RCG). Further information is available from the Responsible Conduct of Gambling Course section of this website.
Responsible Gambling Statutory Notices
The Gaming Machines Act 2001 and Regulations require hotels and registered clubs to display certain signs.
Police and the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing's inspectors audit these signs when inspecting hotels and registered clubs.
To assist, these signs are referred to in:
Problem Gambling Counselling
Hotels and registered clubs must enter into arrangements with a service provider for the provision of problem gambling counselling services for members and patrons. Further information is available from the Help for problem gamblers section of this website.
Self-Exclusion
Hotels and registered clubs are required to enter into arrangements with a person or body, approved by the Minister for Gaming and Racing, to establish and conduct a self-exclusion scheme to allow patrons to exclude themselves from nominated areas of a venue or the entire venue. Further information is available from the self-exclusion section of this website.
Responsible Gambling Fund
The Responsible Gambling Fund provides grants for projects, activities and services relating to problem gambling.
The Counselling and Support Services for Problem Gamblers, Families and Others information sheet lists contact details for Responsible Gambling Fund funded counselling and support services around NSW. Details of services are also available from G-line (NSW) on 1800 633 635.
Research
One of the objectives of the Responsible Gambling Fund is to fund research into gambling and the social and economic impact of gambling on individuals, families and the general community in New South Wales. Further information is availble from the Research Reports section of this website.
Information for problem gamblers
There is a range of counselling and support services in New South Wales to help problem gamblers, their friends and family. For more information about the help that is available, visit the Help for problem gamblers section of this website.
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