Approved applicants can trial their technology in a controlled environment (the Innovation Sandbox) subject to specific requirements. Technology that is trialled will need to go through a separate approvals process and assessment if you wish to seek approval to deploy this technology permanently.
Who can apply
To be eligible, your organisation must:
- hold a valid NSW gaming related licence; and
- provide evidence that the proposed technology is innovative and has a primary focus on harm minimisation.
What you must submit
Applicants are required to provide the following information in their initial application.
1
Technology description
- What the technology is and how it works
- Why a sandbox trial is needed
- Expected benefits for patrons, venues, and the NSW community
- How the technology integrates with current gaming systems
- A decommissioning plan explaining how operations will return to normal after the trial.
2
Eligibility information
Demonstrate that you meet both the technology thresholds (primary criteria) and trial suitability criteria (secondary factors).
Technology thresholds (primary criteria):
- The technology’s primary purpose is harm minimisation
- The technology demonstrates genuine innovation.
Trial suitability criteria (secondary factors):
- Risk assessment - identify foreseeable risks and proposed mitigations, including how the technology interacts with high-risk gambling behaviours and gambling related harm
- Applicant suitability - confirm you hold a valid NSW gaming related licence
- Legislative compliance - provide a legal opinion confirming compliance with relevant State and Federal laws, and identify any provisions of the Gaming Machines Act 2001 or the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019 that may need variation or suspension
- Privacy - complete a Privacy Threshold Assessment (PTA) or an interim Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) if applicable
- Cybersecurity - provide policies and documents that demonstrate system security, data privacy controls, risk management processes, and incident response arrangements.
3
Trial proposal
- Trial objectives and duration
- Trial partners (e.g., venues and/or other technology providers)
- How the technology will integrate with other gaming systems
- The decommissioning plan and how you will return to standard settings at the end of the trial.
4
Evaluation plan
- The purpose, design and delivery approach for an independent evaluation
- A nominated third party evaluator (or a shortlist of potential evaluators)
- Suitable evaluators may include technical specialists or consultants and are not required to be academics.
All evaluation costs are funded by the applicant and are subject to final approval by Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW), including the right to veto any unsuitable evaluator.
Key criteria
Your proposal must demonstrate, with supporting evidence, that it meets each of the criteria outlined below.
1
Technology threshold
The technology is innovative and primarily designed to reduce gambling harm.
2
Risk assessment
You have identified foreseeable risks and proposed mitigations, including how the technology addresses high‑risk gambling behaviours.
3
Applicant suitability
You hold a valid NSW gaming‑related licence.
4
Legislative compliance
You provide legal opinion confirming compliance with relevant State and Federal laws, and identify any provisions of the Gaming Machines Act 2001 or Gaming Machines Regulation 2019 that may need variation or suspension.
5
Privacy compliance
You complete a Privacy Threshold Assessment (PTA) or interim Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) if required.
6
Cybersecurity
You provide documentation showing your system security, data privacy controls, risk management processes and incident response arrangements.
Assessment and approval process
The assessment and approval process ensures each proposal is reviewed consistently, transparently and in line with NSW regulatory requirements. Each stage confirms whether the technology is suitable for a controlled trial, meets harm‑minimisation objectives, and complies with all relevant legal, privacy and cybersecurity obligations. Applicants may be asked to provide additional information at different stages to support a full and accurate assessment.
Stage 1A: Initial submission
You review the eligibility criteria and submit your initial application.
Stage 1B: Preliminary review
L&GNSW conducts a preliminary assessment to confirm basic eligibility and to identify any regulatory provisions that may need variation or suspension.
Initial assessment by L&GNSW.
L&GNSW may request additional information, including:
- A full Privacy Impact Assessment
- A risk management plan for gambling harm
- Further documentation on data security and privacy procedures
- Amendments to earlier documents.
L&GNSW may consult with you on trial parameters and conditions that could be recommended for any approval.
Stage 2: Detailed proposal
You develop and submit a detailed proposal based on feedback from Stage 1A and Stage 1B.
Stage 3: Final assessment
L&GNSW completes its review of the full application and all supporting documents.
The final assessment considers:
- Compliance with the NSW regulatory framework (apart from the areas that will require dispensation)
- Accredited Testing Facility (ATF) report findings, including whether the technology is fit for purpose for the intended outcomes
- Compliance with any other applicable State or Commonwealth laws (for example, the Privacy Act 1998,Cyber Security Act 2024)
- Risk and mitigation strategies, where applicable.
L&GNSW may recommend:
- Trial conditions (including parameters, monitoring, oversight and reporting)
- Evaluation requirements
- Legal protections (as applicable).
Stage 4A: Ministerial approval
If the application is successful, L&GNSW recommends approval to the Minister to proceed with the trial.
Stage 4B: Decision and gazettal
Applicants are notified of the decision, and the Ministerial Order is published in the NSW Government Gazette.
Roles and responsibilities
Defining these roles and responsibilities helps ensure the trial is conducted safely, consistently and in line with regulatory requirements.
Liquor & Gaming NSW
- Assess trial proposals
- Set trial specific conditions/requirements in approvals
- Approve, oversee and monitor trial activities
- Provide progress updates and a final report to the Minister
- Impose or vary conditions during the trial or terminate a trial if required
- Ongoing monitoring of the trial.
Technology provider (applicant)
- Submit the trial proposal, including the evaluation plan
- Conduct the trial in line with the conditions of approval
- Pay all costs associated with proposal assessment, trial oversight and evaluation
- Implement the approved decommissioning plan and return operations to standard settings
- Provide a final evaluation report to L&GNSW.
How to apply
Submit your completed application via email to: lgnsw.approvals@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au.
If you have any questions about preparing or submitting your application, please reach out to the team via email.
Definitions
Sandbox trial - A controlled, time‑limited trial that allows approved technologies to operate under defined conditions and monitoring, before any broader rollout.
Accredited Testing Facility (ATF) - An independent testing body that evaluates whether a technology is compliant, secure and fit‑for‑purpose for its intended outcomes.
Decommissioning plan - A documented plan that explains how trial activities will cease and how systems will return to standard settings at the end of the trial.
A Privacy Threshold Assessment(PTA) determines whether a full Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is required. An interim PIA may be requested at early stages.