NSW fines two venues over gaming machine shutdown breaches

Two venues have been penalised by Liquor & Gaming NSW over failures to comply with mandatory shutdown rules for gaming machines. The regulator named the Crown Hotel in Camden and East Cessnock Bowling Club as the recipients of the fines in a statement dated 12 October. One other venue was given an official caution, and a fourth was referred for formal disciplinary action.

Inspections so far have covered 51 venues in Sydney, the Hunter region and the North Coast, and a further 70 are still being assessed while the checks go on. Education and compliance support went to 32 more venues, given for minor or isolated problems or for exceptional circumstances beyond their control. To spot possible breaches, the regulator draws on real-time data along with inspections and record checks.

Under the standard regime, pubs and clubs must turn off their gaming machines each day from 4am to 10am, a pause intended to reduce gambling harm. Some venues hold approved exemptions permitting different shutdown arrangements. April brought the end of exemptions that had let more than 650 pubs and clubs run machines through the standard shutdown hours, and this enforcement work follows that change.

Dimitri Argeres, the regulator's executive director of regulatory operations, said significant or repeated breaches would attract stronger regulatory action. "However, significant or repeated breaches will attract stronger regulatory action," he said.