Hospitality and Racing News February 2025

Prioritise student safety during O-Week 2025

As university students prepare for Orientation Week (O-Week), licensed venues are reminded of their obligation to uphold responsible service of alcohol practices and ensure events comply with liquor laws.

Liquor & Gaming NSW is urging bars, pubs, clubs, licensed vessels and other licensed venues to adhere to liquor promotion guidelines, enforce age ID checks, and make sure measures are in place to minimise alcohol-related harm during this busy period.

Find out more about prioritising student safety  

Updates to the sale of takeaway liquor for restaurants and small bars

The transitional arrangements for takeaway and home delivery for small bars and restaurants ends on 28 February 2025.

From 1 March 2025, restaurants and small bars wanting to sell takeaway or home delivery liquor (with the exception of small bars selling takeaway house-made cocktails) must have a Takeaway Sales Authorisation (TSA).

To find out more and apply for TSA, including quality limits and conditions, visit the Small Bar licence webpage or the On-premises licence webpage.

Government moves to ban gambling ads on public transport

The NSW Government has moved to ban gambling advertising on public transport in NSW.

This applies to Transport owned and controlled assets, including internal and external advertising on trains, metro, buses, light rail, train stations, and ferry terminals.

The detail is to be worked through in conjunction with stakeholders over the coming months, and the ban is intended to extend to all online gambling advertising, including newer products such as online social casino games.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said the move will reduce the public’s exposure to gambling advertising and builds on the suite of reforms the government has introduced over the past 20 months to reduce harmful impacts of gambling.

Read more about the ban

Mardi Gras celebrations

The 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival is coming soon! The Ultra Violet event for LGBTQIA + Women kicks off on Saturday 22 February, followed by the spectacular Mardi Gras parade on Saturday 1 March.

Venues across inner Sydney should check out special event extended trading conditions for the festival period, closer to the events.

Have your say on NSW Government's Gaming Reforms

Have your say on the rollout of a third-party exclusion scheme and mandatory facial recognition technology in hotels and clubs with gaming machines.

Feedback on both of these initiatives is being sought from industry, gambling harm advocates and the community and will directly inform the final design and implementation of these reforms.

Consultation papers on these proposals are open until Friday 14 March 2025. Please provide your feedback via Have Your Say.

State's live music scene set to expand with new grants program

Sound NSW has released two new programs under their Venue Upgrade Grants initiative, designed with the goals of increasing the number of fit-for-purpose live music venues across the state and supporting them to be better equipped to enhance the audience experience.

Venue Upgrade Advice Grants up to $20,000. Read the guidelines for Program 1 and apply

Venue Upgrade Facilities Grants up to $250,000. Read the guidelines for Program 2 and apply

Introducing Neon Marketplace: A B2B platform to boost NSW's 24-hour economy

Neon Marketplace is an emerging B2B platform designed to help businesses and creatives across NSW build vibrant, connected and thriving 24-hour districts.

By connecting local businesses, creatives and community groups, Neon Marketplace offers an easy way to foster partnerships, promote local events and support economic growth within their districts.

Whether you’re seeking to coordinate community activations or connect with local creators, Neon Marketplace will offer opportunities to help shape the future of NSW’s 24-hour economy.

2025 Webinar Program

Building on the successful delivery of our 2024 Webinar Program, Hospitality and Racing is kicking off this year’s program with a robust line-up of topics and speakers during February and March.

Webinars scheduled for February and March are:

• 18 February – Hospitality and Racing Regulatory Priorities
• 25 February – ClubGRANTS
• 25 February – New Licensees
• 4 March – Same Day Alcohol Delivery

These events allow licensees an opportunity to engage with us to hear first-hand about our work and priorities.

View the 2025 webinars

What's in a name?

It’s official! The Royal Hotel has taken the top spot as the most common name for a watering hole in 2025.

The latest data from L&GNSW shows that 73 out of the state’s 2,112 licensed hotels share this prestigious name, reflecting its iconic status in Australian pub culture. Commercial Hotel takes second place with 34 venues and Railway Hotel comes in third with 20.

The enduring popularity of regal-inspired hotels dates back to the mid-20th century, reflecting Australia’s strong cultural ties to the UK.

 Find out which are the popular names

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