Hospitality and Racing Newsletter October 2025
Final Regulatory Roadshow for 2025 in Bega
Updates to Gaming Machine National Standard
New reforms to unlock more live entertainment
Naloxone and supporting safer hospitality venues
Review of Thoroughbred Racing Act
Reducing ‘red tape’ for small businesses
Sydney City Liquor Accord partners with Smart Culture to strengthen venue safety and compliance
Hospitality Concierge spreads news to boost Northern Tableland businesses
Are you a regional business looking to bring your town to life after dark?
It’s GambleAware Week!
There's more to lose than money - GambleAware NSW
This week is GambleAware Week and we are highlighting that, when it comes to gambling, you lose more than money. You could be risking your home, that dream holiday, or even your health, happiness and relationships.
While gambling may seem like a bit of fun, it can cause serious harm. Watch for early warning signs like changes in spending, sleep, or mood, or withdrawing from social activities. Recognising these signs early can help you make a change and seek support.
Visit the GambleAware website to learn more and find help.
GambleAware Week events are being held across the state. We encourage you to get involved and support this important initiative.
New website now live!
Say hello to our new website!
We’ve just launched our new website, and we’re excited to share it with you. It’s easier to use, accessible and designed to help you find what you need with less fuss.
As part of the move, our old site has now been retired and all pages have been redirected to our new home: www.nsw.gov.au/liquorandgaming
Here’s what you need to know
- Smarter search
Our new search bar is quick and intuitive. Just type in what you're looking for and it will point you in the right direction. - Check out our new landing page
Visit www.nsw.gov.au/liquorandgaming to explore key information, updates and resources. - Bookmark your go-to pages
If there are pages you visit often, save them to your browser for easy access anytime.
Need help or spotted something not quite right?
If you can’t find what you’re looking for or want to report an issue, drop us a line at website@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au - we’re here to help!
Final Regulatory Roadshow for 2025 in Bega
Following a successful year of engagement with licensees and community members across NSW, we’re pleased to share that the final stop of the 2025 Regulatory Roadshow will take place in Bega on Tuesday 25 November.
This event is tailored for local licensees and industry professionals, offering a valuable opportunity to:
- connect directly with our executive team
- gain insights into our strategic priorities and regulatory approach
- learn about key initiatives impacting local licensees
- network with peers, industry stakeholders and our leadership team.
Whether you're seeking updates, clarity on regulatory changes, or simply want to build stronger industry connections, this Roadshow is not to be missed.
Updates to Gaming Machine National Standard
Throughout 2024-2025, Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) led a cross-jurisdictional reform of the Gaming Machine National Standard (GMNS). The updated GMNS, which includes a range of consumer protection and harm minimisation reforms, will come into effect in NSW on 12 March 2026.
Key changes include:
- limiting free games, win multipliers and in-symbol prizes
- prescribing prohibited ‘near-miss’ designs
- prohibiting non-linear pay-tables.
Any products submitted prior to 12 March 2026 will be assessed by L&GNSW under the current GMNS. After that date, industry must comply with the standards set by the new GMNS, except for two of the reforms.
A 12-month extension, until 12 September 2026, has been granted to enable industry time to implement two of the reforms which are more complex and need programmable changes.
For more information please visit the Technical standards: gaming machine webpage.
Vibrancy Reforms Tranche 3
The NSW Government has introduced the 24-Hour Economy Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2025 to Parliament, to deliver the next phase of reforms to strengthen the State’s night-time economy.
The Bill introduces a range of proposed measures designed to make it easier for venues to host live music and cultural events, improve safety for patrons and staff and cut unnecessary red tape that impacts late night business activity.
These changes build on the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to the 24-hour economy, creating more opportunities for live music and supporting a vibrant, safe and inclusive nightlife across the State.
Further information will be available over the following weeks. You can read about the changes implemented over the past two years on our page.
You can read information about the Bill on the Parliament of NSW website.
New reforms to unlock more live entertainment
Ross Coffey - Villa + Villa
Music and other venues will have greater flexibility to offer a wider range of entertainment without needing extra planning approvals, under new reforms to planning rules.
The changes implemented through the Cultural SEPP (State Environmental Planning Policy), simplify the planning rules for low-impact cultural and hospitality activities. This includes making activities like live music, comedy, theatre, book readings and other performances exempt development, even in residential zones – with sensible limits to protect neighbours.
Entertainment can now happen both indoors and outdoors (with certain limitations on frequency and times, and not on rooftops). Previously, outdoor performances were not allowed without council approval.
Naloxone and supporting safer hospitality venues
Opioid overdoses can happen in many environments, including the hospitality sector.
Naloxone is a fast-acting medication that can temporarily reverse opioid overdose effects and can be a vital part of first aid in venues like pubs, clubs and events.
NSW Health now authorises first aid trained staff to administer naloxone in the workplace if they suspect an overdose.
NSW Health, with the support of Hospitality and Racing, will soon be hosting a webinar with practical information on how naloxone works, recognising an overdose and how venues can access the medication. Details and how to register will be available soon.
Visit the naloxone webpage to learn more.
Review of Thoroughbred Racing Act
The NSW Government has released a discussion paper to guide public consultation on the independent review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 (the Act).
The review will assess whether the Act remains appropriate to ensure the integrity and proper regulation of thoroughbred racing in NSW and to support the industry’s development and sustainability. It will also consider whether the framework promotes integrity, transparency and animal and jockey welfare.
The community and industry can have their say by lodging a submission or filling in a survey until 5pm, Monday 24 November.
For more information see Review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996.
Reducing ‘red tape’ for small businesses
The NSW Small Business Commission is seeking your feedback about "red tape" on processes, systems and requirements that make it difficult for small businesses to navigate compliance with regulatory requirements. This includes application forms, reporting obligations registration and licensing processes,
Your feedback can help identify ways to better support the small business community.
The consultation period closes at 11:59pm, Friday 31 October 2025.
Sydney City Liquor Accord partners with Smart Culture to strengthen venue safety and compliance
Sydney City Liquor Accord
In response to the growing need for practical education on preventing sexual harassment, the Sydney City Liquor Accord (SCLA) partnered with Smart Culture to deliver targeted training to more than 200 senior hospitality managers across the Sydney CBD.
The program reinforced responsible service of alcohol (RSA) obligations and equipped venue managers with practical tools to set clear behavioural expectations and respond appropriately to incidents. Fully funded by the Accord through membership fees, the initiative highlights the value of liquor accord membership in supporting safer, more compliant venues.
Hospitality Concierge spreads news to boost Northern Tableland businesses
L&GNSW’s Hospitality Concierge has taken its regional outreach program to the Northern Tablelands to consult with businesses and support industry growth.
The recent three-day tour aimed to engage with people operating licensed premises on their home turf in Armidale, Tenterfield, Glen Innes and Inverell to share information about the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms and answer questions about their obligations and activities as licensees.
Are you a regional business looking to bring your town to life after dark?
The NSW Government’s Regional Night-Time Economy Program supports business collectives in regional towns to identify opportunities for vibrancy and deliver collaborative initiatives that grow their economies after dark.
Collectives of six or more local businesses can apply for grants of $100,000–$200,000, including funding for a coordinator, and will have access to free capacity-building workshops.
If your town has untapped potential for more night-time vibrancy, connect with local businesses and apply by 2pm Thursday, 20 November 2025.
In other news – media releases
- Success of the Everest Racing Carnival - event set to scale new heights this Spring to deliver a major boost to the State’s economy and employment.
- NICC extends The Star manager's term - NSW Government amends Casino Control Regulation to extend the term until at least 31 March 2026.
Keep up to date with upcoming Liquor & Gaming NSW events
For more information about upcoming events and webinars, visit our Liquor & Gaming NSW Events web page.
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