Hospitality and Racing Newsletter August 2026
Read the latest updates with key announcements, regulatory updates and information relevant to industry and stakeholders to stay informed.
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 2026.
From 23 September 2026 your licence will be permanently cancelled, and a new licence application is required if you wish to sell or supply liquor.
Souths Cares Gambling Education campaign goes live
Indigenous Rabbitohs players are reminding Aboriginal young people to focus on the game, not the punt in a social media campaign that encourages conversations around gambling harm.
Souths Cares partnered with Aboriginal young people through two consultation workshops and has launched a new gambling education campaign funded by the Office of Responsible Gambling’s Our Mob Our Media Our Message Gambling Harm Prevention Grants.
The campaign is an Aboriginal-led initiative to reduce gambling harm among young Aboriginal people. It empowers the voices of First Nations athletes and young people to raise awareness of gambling harm, promote safer choices and encourage help-seeking. Consultation workshops were held with First Nations youth to identify key themes associated with gambling and co-design the campaign messaging.
Resources: Gambling Education Resource Hub
Further sanctions for former Gladstone Hotel operators
Former Gladstone Hotel Stockton licensee, Tracy Keegan, has been banned for a further two years after a Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) investigation found she remained associated with licensed venues despite an existing disqualification over an incident where a patron consumed 23 alcoholic drinks.
The decision came days after Mrs Keegan's husband, former Gladstone Hotel manager Mark Keegan, had his approval to manage licensed premises withdrawn over a separate serious intoxication incident involving the same patron.
Both former operators have now been sanctioned by the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) following separate regulatory proceedings linked to the Gladstone Hotel.
Learn more about the sanctions
Seven Hills RSL General Manager banned following investigation
The General Manager of Seven Hills RSL has been banned from holding office in NSW registered clubs for five years following a L&GNSW investigation.
The investigation began after L&GNSW received a complaint that raised serious bribery and corruption allegations.
L&GNSW investigated the matter and referred a disciplinary complaint to ILGA.
ILGA found that the General Manager had received more than $280,000 in undisclosed cash payments from a club contractor, in addition to gifts and other benefits.
Read more about the investigation
Updated Liquor Promotion and Intoxication Guidelines to support patron safety
The Intoxication Guidelines and Prevention of Intoxication Guidelines have been updated to reflect the exemption which allows licensees and staff to exercise discretion to allow intoxicated patrons to remain on licensed premises where necessary for medical assistance or to arrange transport off the premises.
The exemption can be found in section 73(5A) of the Liquor Act 2007, which was introduced as part of Tranche 3 of the Vibrancy Reforms.
The updated intoxication and standard drinks guidelines are now available.
Regulatory Roadshows, from Canterbury Bankstown to Deniliquin: connecting with communities
The Canterbury Bankstown Regulatory Roadshow, held on 28 July, brought together more than 150 participants from across the Canterbury Bankstown, Cumberland, Strathfield and Burwood LGAs. Attendees learnt about current regulatory priorities, shared insights and strengthened relationships with L&GNSW and their industry colleagues.
The roadshow also included a ClubGRANTS information session and a presentation from the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner on Special Entertainment Precincts. These sessions provided practical information and opportunities for attendees to ask questions and discuss local matters.
The next roadshow will be held in Deniliquin on 8 September.
NICC Commissioners to complete terms in November 2026
NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford and Commissioner Stephen Parbery will complete their time on the Commission and retire from the public service in November 2026.
Mr Crawford and Mr Parbery were both founding members of the NICC, which was established in September 2022 following the Bergin Inquiry. Their terms were due to finish on 24 May 2026 but have been extended a further six months to ensure important remediation work at The Star Sydney is continued under the casino’s new ownership team and to provide a smooth transition to the new commissioners.
Prior to joining the NICC, Mr Crawford served the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) as chairperson and Mr Parbery as a board member.
A selection process to fill the two Commissioner roles in line with the legislation is underway.
Read more about the retirements
New ABAC guides
The Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) has released a new suite of compliance resources to help alcohol marketers meet their advertising obligations, including guides on social media age restrictions, working with influencers and compliance resources for the spirits industry. The resources follow an ABAC audit which found smaller brands had the lowest rates of activating age restrictions on social media, despite these settings being quick, free and effective at limiting under-18 exposure to alcohol advertising.
The release comes as L&GNSW continues to focus on digital promotion and influencer activity, having recently highlighted risks associated with influencer marketing and social media trends, including QR code challenges that can encourage excessive consumption. Venues and marketers are encouraged to review the new guidance and ensure their online promotions are responsible and compliant.
Reminder: Changes to Gaming Machine Tax Arrangements
Revenue NSW has advised that new requirements will apply to gaming machine tax enquiries and payment arrangements.
To protect privacy and maintain data integrity, Revenue NSW will only discuss outstanding gaming machine tax liabilities with the current licensee of the premises. Requests from staff members, bookkeepers or accountant representatives will no longer be accepted.
From 1 September 2026, any request for an instalment plan to manage outstanding gaming machine tax must be submitted in writing to taxdebt@revenue.nsw.gov.au by the current licensee.
Requests should include reasons for seeking the arrangement. Please note that instalment plans will be limited to a maximum term of four weeks, with the first payment due on the 21st day of the relevant month (or the next business day if the 21st falls on a weekend or public holiday).
For further information, licensees can contact the Revenue NSW Tax Debt Team on 1300 368 710.
Stay connected
In case you missed it!
- New animations help licensed venue operators understand liquor laws
- Regulator targets emerging social media risks linked to target alcohol-related harms
Upcoming events
- New licensee webinar – 25 August 2026
- Deniliquin Regulatory Roadshow – 8 September 2026
- Webinar: Spotting fake IDs – 15 September 2026