There are rules in place to help licensed venue operators and their staff when paying out gaming machine prizes.
You must award or pay a prize won on a gaming machine to a player who is entitled to the prize in accordance with the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019.
The requirements include:
- awarding the prizewinner
- payment of cheque or electronic transfer.
If a person claims a prize of more than $5000, the amount that exceeds $5000 must be paid within 48 hours in 1 of 2 ways:
- crossed cheque made payable to the prize winner
- electronic funds transfer (EFT) to a nominated account – if those means are available.
If the total prize money is more than $5000 and the prize – winner requests to have the entire amount paid by crossed cheque or EFT, not just the amount over $5000, you must do so.
A prize-winning cheque must be clearly marked with the words: Prize-winning cheque – cashing rules apply.
If the prize is being paid through electronic transfer, the account must be with a financial institution, such as a bank.
Gaming machine tickets
Gaming machine tickets must be redeemed by the person authorised by the hotelier or club or via an approved cash-back terminal
Records of gaming machine prizes
Hoteliers and clubs are required to keep certain records when awarding prizes and redeeming gaming machine tickets.
Records relating to prizes to be kept by clubs
Clubs must record every gaming machine prize payout or short-pay.
Non-monetary gaming machine prizes
You can award a gaming machine prize that is not money but the prize must be equal to the value of credits won on the gaming machine. The prize-winner must also be given the choice of being paid money. The prize must be awarded within 48 hours or in accordance with the information you have provided to the prize-winner.
Non-monetary prizes cannot be:
- liquor
- tobacco
- knives or knife blades
- firearms or ammunition.