The New South Wales Liquor & Gaming Authority (L&GNSW) has revealed that it will be taking a stricter approach to establishments that are violating the state’s new gambling sign regulations.
The new regulations, which took effect on the first of September, forbid gambling promotional signs from being displayed outside of venues and also prohibit indoor signage that is visible from the exterior of the building.
These rules apply to pubs and clubs and encompass a variety of signage, from fixed non-illuminated awning signs to digital video displays. Names that are prohibited include VIP rooms/lounges, gold rooms/lounges, players rooms/lounges, and boom rooms/lounges. Images of dragons, coins, or lightning patterns are also not permitted.
Establishments that fail to remove the signage could face penalties of up to $11,000 (5,767 GBP/6,730 EUR/7,303 USD) per violation. Venues that refuse to remove the signage when requested will also face fines of up to $11,000.
L&GNSW stated that 99% of venues in the state have adhered to the new rules and removed all signage. However, the regulator mentioned that it has taken action against some facilities that continue to display gambling-related signage.
Therefore, starting on December 1st, L&GNSW has committed to taking an intensified enforcement approach against any venue that has illegal signage.
Authorities have declared that the strict policy represents the third and final stage of the sign conformity program.
New South Wales has intensified its efforts to suppress infringements, with the Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) citing numerous instances of action taken. Two establishments were instructed to eliminate signage that sought to evade the prohibition by utilizing visuals that were remarkably similar to those employed on electronic gaming machines.
The Royal Hotel in Granville utilized cartoon imagery to promote the hotel’s eatery. However, L&GNSW asserted that the visuals bore a resemblance to those used in the “Cai’s Kingdom” electronic gaming machine. The establishment complied with the directive to remove the signage but sought a review of the decision by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority.
In a separate incident, the Stardust Hotel in Cabramatta displayed signage featuring an animated panda grasping and masticating a branch or plant. Inspectors maintained that this resembled images used in the “Panda Magic” electronic gaming machine. Consequently, the licensee was issued a legal directive to discontinue the use of the digital archway.
NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, stated: “Any signage that endeavors to circumvent the prohibition on gambling-related signage will encounter an intensified enforcement reaction.” “This encompasses the utilization of animation, symbols or characters that are linked to gambling, poker machine graphics or gambling franchises.”
Following the September prohibition, over 1,200 locations across 53 local government districts (including 19 regional local government districts) in the state have been examined by liquor and gaming officials. This constitutes more than 55% of all locations with gaming machine licenses in the state. The examinations revealed a 99% adherence rate for external signage related to gambling.
Venue operators should now be completely aware of the rules, and any non-compliant signage should be taken down. Removing these signs is merely one crucial aspect of our dedication to gambling reform, harm reduction, and combating money laundering in New South Wales.
**Enacting comprehensive responsible gambling measures in New South Wales**
Removing signage is a part of New South Wales’ efforts to strengthen responsible gambling measures.
Since March, the New South Wales government has also lowered the cash-in limit for all new poker machines from $5,000 to $500. This rule change came into effect on July 1st.
Meanwhile, the statewide limit on gaming machine licenses has been reduced by roughly 3,000. Clubs that are prohibited from participating in gambling are now forbidden from making political contributions, and an independent panel has been formed to oversee the cashless gaming pilot.
Moreover, New South Wales has announced a $100 million investment in reducing gambling harm. A variety of programs will be funded through the reallocation of a $100 million penalty imposed on Star Entertainment Group in October 2022.
Casinos will face higher tax rates.
The New South Wales administration last month also affirmed tax hikes for land-based gambling houses in Star Harbor. The administration reached a fundamental accord over the summer concerning higher tax proportions over a shorter time span. These proportions have now been affirmed and will take effect on July 1st of this year.
The alterations encompass an upsurge in the rebate gaming tax proportion from 10.0% to 12.5%, and the non-rebate table game tax proportion from 17.91% to 20.25%.
The non-rebate tax proportion for poker machines (slot machines) will stay the same for now at 20.91%. However, this proportion will rise to 21.91% from July 1st, 2024, and to 22.91% from July 1st, 2027.
From June 30th, 2030, the tax proportion will shift to a tiered framework. This is also in line with the previous administration’s suggestions.
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