Hospitality and Racing Newsletter November 2025
Vibrancy reforms before Parliament
Compliance Campaign - Schoolies
$176k fine for Sydney hotels for pokie offences
City and bush benefit from $6.5m community grant program
Payments for expired gaming machine tickets and unclaimed jackpot prizes
SafeWork guidance for hospitality industry on preventing sexual harassment
One month in: What’s new and what’s next
NICC honoured with international award for regulatory excellence
Vibrancy reforms before Parliament
The 24-Hour Economy Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2025 is now before Parliament, with expected parliamentary debate over the next few weeks.
The NSW Government remains committed to delivering reforms that strengthen the State’s night-time economy. The next steps will ensure the hospitality industry is well-supported to successfully transition through the proposed changes, fostering a safe and vibrant nightlife for everyone.
Information about the reforms and any available support will be communicated as the implementation progresses.
Compliance Campaign - Schoolies
Throughout November and December, L&GNSW inspectors will visit venues in traditional ‘schoolies’ areas such as Byron Bay to ensure they comply with responsible service of alcohol (RSA) requirements.
This season and particularly with the school year coming to an end, typically sees an increase in young people attending licensed premises in celebration of the end of the year. Ensuring alcohol is not sold or supplied to minors is everyone’s responsibility. Penalties apply for licensees if they do not comply.
More information about underage drinking and your responsibilities is available.
$176k fine for Sydney hotels for pokie offences
Three Sydney hotels have been fined a combined total of $176,000 for gambling related offences including operating gaming machines during mandatory shutdown hours and allowing cash to be withdrawn from credit accounts.
The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) fined the Concourse Hotel at Wynyard $110,000 for repeatedly allowing patrons to play its 29 gaming machines between 8am and 10am from March to November 2023.
The Olympic Hotel at Paddington was fined $44,000 after L&GNSW officers found three gaming machines were not connected to the Centralised Monitoring System (CMS), which monitors all gaming machine operations in NSW and calculates relevant taxes; and for allowing cash to be withdrawn from a credit account.
Finally, the Wentworth Hotel at Homebush West was fined $22,000 for allowing cash to be withdrawn from a credit account.
City and bush benefit from $6.5m community grant program
Accommodation for families of sick children, a skate park, two arts and events spaces and new motors for emergency marine response vessels are among the 41 community projects to share in $6.5 million in funding from the latest round of the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants Program.
A total of $12.75 million in funding will be made available through the program this financial year, made possible by ClubGrants Category 3, which re-invests profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects.
This round of Infrastructure Grants includes a wide range of much-needed projects across NSW in four categories - Arts and Culture; Community Infrastructure; Disaster Readiness; and Sport and Recreation.
Regulatory Roadshow
The final Regulatory Roadshow for 2025 is heading to Bega on Tuesday 25 November, continuing its statewide tour to engage directly with industry stakeholders. It will provide local venue operators, licensees, and community leaders a unique opportunity to connect with senior government staff, gain insights into regulatory reforms, and access support services tailored to the sector.
Payments for expired gaming machine tickets and unclaimed jackpot prizes
Payments for expired gaming machine tickets and unclaimed jackpot prizes can now be made by credit card and PayID through the NSW Government Customer Payment Platform.
Payments by EFT will no longer be accepted. Licensees who continue to attempt to make payments via cheque are at risk of breaching their obligations.
To avoid being in breach, you must now make all payments for all expired gaming machine tickets and unclaimed jackpot via the NSW Government Customer Payment Platform. You no longer need to complete and email the payment form (FM2005).
SafeWork guidance for hospitality industry on preventing sexual harassment
Sexual harassment occurs in every industry; however the hospitality industry can pose a higher risk with factors including close interaction with customers, high availability of alcohol, late-night work and narrow workspaces.
In the lead-up to the festive season, SafeWork NSW urges the hospitality industry to protect their workers’ health and safety, including risks of sexual harassment.
For more information on how to prevent workplace sexual harassment visit the SafeWork NSW Respect at Work resource hub including tailored guidance for the hospitality industry.
One month in: What’s new and what’s next
It’s been a month since we launched our new website and we’re continuing to make improvements based on your feedback.
More people are finding what they need, faster
Our improved search and topic-based navigation is helping users get to the right information with fewer clicks.
Mobile-friendly and accessible
The site is designed to work seamlessly across devices and meets accessibility standards - so everyone can use it with ease.
We’re making continuous improvements
We’re committed to refining the site based on your feedback. If you spot something that’s not working or have suggestions, we’d love to hear from you.
Email us at: website@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au
Web address: www.nsw.gov.au/liquorandgaming
NICC honoured with international award for regulatory excellence
The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has been recognised for its commitment to casino regulation with a prestigious award from the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR).
The NICC was named winner of the Regulatory Excellence category at a gala dinner during the IAGR 2025 conference in Toronto, Canada on 22 October.
The award honours the NICC for its work leading the three-year remediation program at Crown Sydney, following the Bergin Inquiry.
Stay connected
A new, streamlined portal to make it easier for you to engage with us is coming soon!
Whether you need to lodge a complaint, make an enquiry or contact us for support, the new portal will provide a clearer, faster and more user-friendly experience.
Further updates will be provided as the launch approaches.
Read about upcoming events and webinars
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