Gaming machine harm minimisation

Hotels and clubs must not display gambling-related signs that can be seen from outside the venue. 

This includes signs that:

• promote or draw attention to gaming machines
• use words or images commonly linked to gambling
• refer to gambling brands or businesses.

Exceptions: TAB and Keno signs are allowed.

Penalties: Breaking these rules can result in fines of up to 100 penalty units.

Contracts: Any new or extended contracts for such signage are not valid and will be unenforceable.

Get more information on Section 44 – Prohibition on Displaying Gambling-Related Signs from the Gaming Machines Act 2001

By law, hotels and clubs with gaming machines must display contact cards in a clear, plastic holder attached to each bank of machines.

These business-card sized cards provide important information for people experiencing gambling problems and their families. 

They include:

• how to access self-exclusion programs
• where to find counselling and support services
• contact details for help available through the venue.

These cards must be easy to see and access for all patrons.

Get the cards from the fact sheet: FS3008 Gaming machine harm minimisation.

Hotels and clubs with gaming machines must:

• display approved brochures in every area where gaming machines are located
• provide brochures to patrons if they ask for one
• use the official versions approved by Liquor & Gaming NSW.

Language requirements:

• brochures must be available in English
• translations must also be available in Chinese, Korean, Turkish, and Vietnamese
• these translated brochures must be provided on request.

Specific brochures to display:

• Brochure 1E (Chance of winning – gaming machines) must be clearly visible in all gaming areas.
• If your venue offers Keno, you must also display Brochure 2E near each Keno terminal.

Get the brochures from the fact sheet: FS3008 Gaming machine harm minimisation.

What is gaming self-exclusion?

Gaming self-exclusion allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from:

• specific areas within a gaming venue (like the gaming room), or
• entire venues such as hotels and clubs with gaming machines.

This can also extend to online wagering services through the national register BetStop, where individuals can exclude themselves from all licensed online wagering providers in Australia for periods ranging from 3 months to a lifetime.

Get more information on gaming self-exclusion and download the gaming self-exclusion form.

Venue responsibilities

Venues are legally required to:

• assist patrons who request self-exclusion
• provide forms and support through a Customer Liaison Officer
• maintain a confidential register of excluded persons
• prevent excluded individuals from entering restricted areas or gambling

If a self-excluded person breaches the terms, they may be asked to leave, reported to regulators, and forfeit any winnings.

What's not allowed

Hotels and clubs must not advertise gaming machines in any way that promotes or encourages gambling. 

This includes:

• radio, TV, cinema, or video ads
• online or printed ads, including emails and websites
• signs inside the venue that can be seen or heard from outside
• trade magazines or convention materials related to gaming machines
• promotional material sent to members unless the member has clearly agreed to receive it.

Signs near ATMs or EFTPOS machines that mention gaming machines are banned.

To keep gambling out of public view and reduce harm, gaming machines:

• must not be visible from outside the venue
• should be placed in designated gaming areas that are clearly separated from general public areas like entrances, dining rooms, or family spaces.

Jackpot monitor rules

Monitors that show jackpot amounts, like plasma or LCD screens, are treated as gambling-related signs.

Jackpot monitors:

• cannot be placed outside the venue
• must not be visible from outside, even through windows or doors
• in clubs, they can only be placed in bar areas
• in hotels, they must be located inside the gaming room only.

ATM and cash access

From 1 January 2025, ATMs and EFTPOS machines must:

• be at least 5m away from any gaming room entrance or exit
• not be visible from gaming machines or jackpot signs

Venues can apply for an exemption only if they physically can’t comply due to space or safety laws.

Cash dispensing

Cash dispensing facilities must:

• not be located in any area where gaming machines are located
• not allow cash withdrawals from credit card accounts – only debit or savings accounts are allowed.

Dealing with cheques

You must not cash:

• more than 1 cheque per person per day
• a cheque not made out to the venue
• a cheque for more than $400
• a cheque for someone who previously had a dishonoured cheque, unless it’s been repaid.

Note: all cashed cheques must be banked within 2 working days.

Paying out prize money

If a person wins more than $5000, the amount over $5000 must be paid within 48 hours by:

• a crossed cheque made out to the winner, or
• electronic funds transfer (EFT) to their nominated bank account.

If the winner asks for the full amount to be paid by cheque or EFT (not just the amount over $5000), you must do so.

The cheque must be clearly marked: "Prize winning cheque – cashing rules apply".

If your hotel or club runs a player reward scheme, you must:

• tell participants that they can ask for a monthly player activity statement
• provide the statement for free if they request it.

What the statement must include

Each monthly statement must show:

• total turnover (how much the player bet)
• total wins
• net expenditure (how much they lost overall)
• points earned and redeemed from playing gaming machines
• time spent playing:
  • time the player’s card was inserted into machines each day
  • total time for the whole month
• a note that the statement only covers play while the card was inserted.

Gambling help info, including:

“Think! About your choices 

Call Gambling Help 1800 858 858 or visit the GambleAware website”

Inducements are incentives that provide benefits to encourage gambling. Your venue must not offer:

• or supply any free or discounted liquor as an incentive to play gaming machines
• free credits through letterbox flyers, shopper dockets
• any other form of incentive to play gaming machines.