Hotels Fined for Operating Gaming Machines During Shutdown Periods

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) recently conducted multiple investigations which revealed the operation of gaming machines by hotels during shutdown periods, including:

1. Gaming activity on 30 gaming machines at St George Hotel in Belmore between 12pm and 10pm on Christmas Day 2022. 
2. Gaming activity on Saturday 15, 22 and 29 April 2023 during the shutdown period from 1am to 7am at the Royal Inn Hotel in Waratah, Newcastle.

The former licensee of St George Hotel plead guilty in the Local Court and was fined $16,500.

The licensee of the Royal Inn Hotel also plead guilty to 13 breaches of the Gaming Machines Act 2001 (GMA) but submitted to the court the breaches were due to a genuine misunderstanding of licence conditions by the approved manager.  The magistrate fined the licensee $7500 and noted the licensee’s responsibility to ensure staff are adequately trained.

In both instances, L&GNSW’s Executive Director of Regulatory Operations, Jane Lin, said apart from breaking the law, patrons had been placed at greater risk of gambling harm.

These serious breaches show that venues that fail to comply with gaming machine operating hours can expect to be detected and incur significant penalties. 

They also highlight the importance of ensuring club staff are appropriately trained and understand the significance of observing the prescribed gaming machine shutdown periods under the GMA and any licence conditions. 

If you have any questions, please contact ClubASSIST on 1300 730 001 or [email protected].