A compliance blitz will see Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors target harm minimisation breaches across the state with 500 pubs and clubs warned to expect a visit.
The crackdown is the second phase of a program which has already performed almost 900 checks on licensed premises in seven months, issued scores of fines and launched three prosecutions.
As a result, two Sydney pubs are facing sanctions for having ATMs with credit card access while running gaming rooms.
Under the Gaming Machines Act 2001, licensed NSW premises that feature pokie rooms are not allowed to install teller machines that can be used with credit cards in any part of the venue.
Liquor & Gaming says the Wentworth Hotel at Homebush has been directed to remove the credit card withdrawal function from an ATM after a complaint from a customer who accessed $2000 to bet with.
The Earlwood Hotel was issued with a similar direction and also told to remove material from the screen of its offending ATM that promoted gambling facilities at the pub.
Inspectors visited both venues twice and were allegedly able to withdraw money from credit accounts all four times.
Meanwhile, two Darlinghurst pubs owned along with the Wentworth Hotel by the Iris Capital Group have been made to move or screen pokies from interconnected rooms.
The gaming authority says the Gaslight Inn and Colombian Hotel were effectively operating gaming rooms together as one expanded facility.
Executive director Jane Lin said Liquor & Gaming’s compliance program was about promoting a culture of safer gambling and protecting patrons from getting in over their heads.
“We have escalated our enforcement approach to these requirements, including by prosecuting offences and issuing statutory directions or using other administrative remedies to address instances of non-compliance to keep our community safe,” she said.
“Inspectors are out and actively testing credit withdrawal functions at licensed premises.”
They will visit both metropolitan and regional venues including pubs and clubs in Tamworth, Armidale, Uralla, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Singleton, Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook local government areas.
Failure to comply with a direction from Liquor & Gaming carries a maximum penalty of $5500.
– AAP
