The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has today tabled the report of its inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm.  The report provides 31 recommendations that apply a public health lens to online gambling.

An eight week extension has been granted by the Government for the final report by the independent investigator into the State’s harness racing industry.

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) is reminding all venues across NSW to comply with fundamental gaming harm-minimisation requirements.  Under the Gaming Machines Act 2001, hotels or clubs with gaming machines are not allowed to have ATMs with credit access in any part of the venue. 

Liquor & Gaming NSW has announced the commencement of a targeted compliance program to ensure adherence to key gaming harm-minimisation measures.  It is expected that some 500 inspections will be undertaken, with Liquor & Gaming NSW taking a zero-tolerance approach to any breaches. 

The NSW Government has committed to gaming machine reforms, including lowering the state's cap on the number of EGMs available to operate by more than 3,000 and decreasing the cash input limit for all new machines to $500 from the 1 July 2023.

The VGCCC has issued a statement on 22 June 2023 which is believed to be a world-first among gambling regulators. It declares that gambling 'harm is preventable', and minimising harm will 'guide all our regulatory decisions, actions and expectations'.

NSW Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey has announced that discussion of an increase in casino tax rates with effect from 1 July 2023 (inherited by the current Government as a legacy policy upon election in March) will continue following the forthcoming Parliamentary winter recess.

Gambling levels in Australia dropped during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but are now returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to a new study from The Australian National University (ANU). 

The full report is available online.

The NSW Government is calling on wagering operators to ensure responsible gambling messages are communicated effectively in advertising. The requirement is part of the National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF) for Online Wagering in Australia.

The Territory Labor Government has lowered the cap on gaming machines in community venues across the NT which now stands at 1,659, down from 1,699. This brings an end to a nine-month moratorium on new gaming machines in Alice Springs, announced last September.