After months of review and various probes, the New South Wales (NSW) government has announced that all external signage related to gaming or poker machines must be removed from the state’s bars and clubs by September 1.
Seen as the latest move toward stricter responsible gambling regulations, the government indicated that all venues will be formally notified of the change this week.
According to the new regulations, any venues that are unable to comply with the rule change due to reasons outside of their control will be granted a three-month extension. Any venues still found to be in violation of the change after that time will be fined AU$11,000 (US$7,300) for each offense.
Included in the new ban are phrases such as VIP Lounge, VIP Room and Players’ Lounge, which have typically been used as euphemisms for gambling machines in the past.
The announcement comes shortly after legislation was proposed to bar venues with gambling machines from making political donations.
In a statement reported by Inside Asian Gaming, NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said that NSW officials are “committed to introducing important gambling harm-minimization measures.”
“The façades of pubs and clubs across the state are littered with signs such as ‘VIP lounge’ to alert those walking or driving by that they have gaming machines,” Harris continued. “Some of these signs are extremely prominent, can be seen by children and members of the community who are at risk of gambling harm.”
