Hospitality and Racing Newsletter August 2025

Multilingual campaign

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) is supporting culturally diverse businesses to operate safely and responsibly through a targeted education campaign.

With more than 280 languages spoken in NSW, L&GNSW inspectors have been visiting venues across Sydney to ensure operators from non-English speaking backgrounds know their responsibilities.

Multicultural NSW was engaged to translate Self-Audit Checklists for On-Premises and Packaged Liquor licence compliance checklists into Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese.

A QR code was also created to provide easy access to the translated forms.

Due to the ongoing success of the campaign, consideration will be given to translating more resource materials into other languages and inspectors will continue visiting businesses.

Read more and find information in other languages.

Referral of Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel to ILGA

An investigation by L&GNSW into a Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL team function at Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel in September 2024 has now been completed. 

L&GNSW launched the investigation into the hotel after receiving a complaint about inappropriate behaviour during the end-of-season event. 

The investigation considered alleged indecent conduct on the premises and failure by the venue to take reasonable steps to prevent behaviour likely to encourage the misuse and abuse of alcohol. 

The investigation identified alleged breaches and L&GNSW made two disciplinary complaints to the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA).

L&GNSW is committed to holding licensed venues accountable and reminds operators that serious penalties may apply for breaches of liquor laws, licence conditions or failures in the responsible service of alcohol. 

Prosecution of unlicensed alcohol sales

The owner of a business operating in Pendle Hill has been convicted and fined $13,000 in the Downing Centre Local Court for selling alcohol illegally, following a Liquor & Gaming NSW investigation.  

The owner of the business operating as Meat4U pleaded guilty to three offences, including an offence related to selling liquor without a licence, following a covert operation that resulted in 50 liquor products seized from the venue. 

The prosecution is a warning to all venues that selling alcohol without a licence in NSW is a serious offence that carries penalties of up to $11,000 per offence and up to 12 months imprisonment, or both.

Read more about the conviction

Review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act

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The NSW Government has appointed former NSW Minister for Health, the Hon Brad Hazzard, to independently lead a review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 (the Act).

The review will determine whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate to ensure the integrity and proper regulation of thoroughbred racing in NSW and support the industry’s development and sustainability. It will also examine governance structures and processes established under the Act, along with stakeholder consultation and transparency mechanisms.

The Racing Reviews team will support Mr Hazzard undertake the review. Further information, including terms of reference, are available via the Office of Racing website.

Licences are now cancelled for unpaid Annual Liquor Licence Fees

Liquor licences with unpaid annual liquor licence fees are now cancelled.

It is illegal to sell or supply liquor with a cancelled licence.

If you wish to continue to sell or supply liquor, you must first apply to reinstate your licence and pay a reinstatement fee in addition to your annual liquor licence fee and late payment fee.

The last day to apply for a licence reinstatement and pay all outstanding fees is 22 September 2025.

From 23 September 2025 your licence will be permanently cancelled, and a new licence application is required if you wish to sell or supply liquor.

Reinstate your licence now

2025 ClubGRANTS Annual Returns

All ClubGRANTS qualifying clubs are required to lodge their Annual Returns for the 2024-2025 Gaming Tax Year from 1 to 11 September 2025 via the ClubGRANTS Online Portal

Key reminders for the 2025 ClubGRANTS round are:

• Ensure successful applicants receive funding prior to 31 August 2025
• Qualifying clubs must allocate at least 0.75% of profits over $1m to Category 1 purposes to qualify for the tax rebate
• If Local Committee (LC) requirements are not met as per cl. 2.1.6 of the Guidelines, that you provide the required report by 15 October 2025 by email to landaudit@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au

Refer to our ClubGRANTS webpage for more information including technical assistance and resources.

Registered Clubs Regulation has been renewed

The Registered Clubs Regulation 2015, which was due to expire on 1 September 2025, has been renewed.

The Registered Clubs Regulation 2025 comes into effect on 1 September 2025. The 2025 Regulation primarily rolls over existing provisions, with some amendments to improve the clarity and operational efficiency for clubs, members and the regulator.

Thank you to all of those who provided feedback on the Regulation as part of the consultation in June.

Further information on the 2025 Regulation is available.

Ballina/Byron Bay Regulatory Roadshow

Hospitality and Racing is gearing up to deliver the fourth Regulatory Roadshow for 2025 on 23 September.  The team will be heading to the Ballina Surf Club for a day of industry insights and networking.

Our Executive leadership team will be on hand to connect with local stakeholders, hear about local issues, and discuss the latest developments in the sector. The event will feature informative presentations on:

• liquor and gaming reforms
• compliance and licensing updates
• industry support initiatives

These roadshows have been widely praised by past attendees as valuable opportunities to engage with peers, share ideas, and stay informed on key industry issues.

Don’t miss out, register now to be part of the Ballina/Byron Bay Regulatory Roadshow.

View highlights from the Central Coast Regulatory Roadshow below.

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ATM placement case study

Under new rules that came into effect 1 January this year, cash dispensing facilities such as ATMs and EFTPOS terminals that allow cash withdrawal must be located at least five meters from the entry to a gaming room or an area or room where gaming machines are located. 
 
ATMs must also not be visible from a gaming machine, the entry to or exit from a gaming room or area where gaming machines are located. Similarly, gaming machines, jackpot prize displays and gaming area entrances and exits cannot be visible from an ATM. 

We launched a compliance program using a staged approach with industry to inform and educate venues on making necessary changes to comply with signage and location requirements for ATMs. 
 
We have developed a new video case study highlighting the programs approach and outcomes. 

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Looking for performers, entertainers, creatives or collaborators for your next event or promotion?

The Neon Marketplace Opportunities Roundup is a weekly newsletter that highlights current opportunities across NSW, helping venues and hospitality businesses tap into the growing network of local talent and suppliers.

Whether you’ve got regular programming, are planning an event or just want to stay ahead of what’s happening, it’s a free, practical way to connect with the going-out economy. 

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Keep up to date with upcoming Liquor & Gaming NSW Events

For more information about upcoming events and webinars, visit our events page.

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