External gambling related signage is being stripped from venues across the Central Coast and the state, fulfilling the NSW Government’s election commitment to ban all external gambling signage by September 1.
The ban, announced in May, is a key plank in the Government’s commitment to reduce gambling harm in NSW.
Minister for Gaming and Racing and Central Coast David Harris and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch were on hand at the Bayview Hotel in Woy Woy as its VIP lounge signage was removed on Thursday, August 10.
“We announced these changes back in May as a staged approach to ensure pubs and clubs were given the appropriate amount of time to conceal, remove and switch off any gambling promoting signage,” Harris said.
“It’s great to see venues like the Bayview Hotel moving quickly to fulfill their obligations and being willing to play such a positive role in gambling reform in NSW.
“I encourage other venues to get on board, as it is now less than a month till all these signs must be down.”
David Harris MP
Venues must remove, alter or conceal all external gambling-related signs, including fixed unilluminated awning signs and digital video displays.
Names such as VIP Room/VIP Lounge, Golden Room/Lounge and Players’ Room/Lounge are among the names banned, as well as images of dragons, coins or lightning motifs.
The maximum penalty attributable for those who fail to remove their signs and breach the Act is $11,000 per offence.
Tesch said the Government was committed to working together with all stakeholders to reduce gambling harm in the community through comprehensive reform.
“I appreciated the opportunity to join Minister Harris at the Bayview Hotel to see firsthand the Government’s evidence-based reforms in action,” she said.
Australian Hotels Association NSW CEO John Whelan said hotels were working with the Government on its gaming reform plan.
“There is no need for gaming machines to be advertised to the public,” he said.
“It’s pleasing to see so many hotels, like the Bayview, taking action to remove these signs before the September 1 deadline.”
Since being elected in March, the NSW Government has reduced the cash input limit from $5,000 to $500 for all new EGMs from July 1, capped the number of gaming machine entitlements in circulation, banned all external gambling signage in venues from September 1, banned political donations from clubs with electronic gaming machines; and provided an additional $10M to the Responsible Gambling Fund to develop and deliver harm reduction initiatives.
The gaming reform plan also includes introducing responsible gaming officers at venues with more than 20 machines and introducing state-wide and third-party exclusions for people with gambling problems.
Source:
Minister for Gambling and Racing David Harris