Hospitality and Racing Newsletter September 2025

Ballina/Byron Bay Regulatory Roadshow

This month, the Hospitality and Racing executive team is heading to the northern end of NSW to connect with licensees from the Ballina and Byron region. Industry stakeholders from Richmond Valley, Lismore, Tweed, Kyogle and Clarence Valley Local Government Areas are also welcome to attend.

This is a great opportunity for licensees to hear directly from our team about the latest industry updates and gain valuable insights into our regulatory approach and strategic direction for the months ahead.

Join us on 23 September for the roadshow including a networking lunch where you can meet fellow venue operators, share experiences, and build new connections.

We’re also pleased to welcome Mike Rodrigues, the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, who will be on hand to discuss vibrancy reforms and clarify the initiatives available to support your venue.

Don’t miss out – visit our website and register today!

Appeal pathways for music festival user charges

The NSW Government has established several pathways for festival organisers to seek a review of their costs payable to the State or a government sector agency (user charges).

These measures include internal review pathways for both user charges for policing and ambulance, and an appeals panel review process for overall user charges costings, for use in limited and exceptional circumstances.

Find out more

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10-year ban for club official who stole funds

A former Sydney club secretary who embezzled funds and spent club money on poker machines has been banned from holding a governance role in any registered club in NSW for 10 years.

The Secretary was convicted in May 2024 of fraud offences after embezzling $11,734 from the club and spending $2,000 of that on poker machines.

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) subsequently lodged a disciplinary complaint with the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) which has now declared the secretary ineligible to stand for election, be appointed to, or hold office as a secretary or board member of any registered club in the state for the next decade under the Registered Clubs Act 1976.

ILGA’s decision reinforces the consequences of officials misusing club money.

Read more about the ban

Applications open to co-design gambling harm message with Aboriginal youth

Not-for-profit Aboriginal organisations or those working with the Aboriginal community are invited to apply for grants to engage Aboriginal young people through social media to tackle gambling harm.

The Office of Responsible Gambling is offering the Our Mob, Our Media, Our Message - Gambling Harm Prevention Grants after a recent survey showed Aboriginal people were more likely to experience gambling harm.

The funding will support the creation of culturally relevant messages about gambling harm by and for Aboriginal young people.

Applications opened on 8 September and will close on 20 October.

Apply now

Find out more about applying

New research on how young people’s gambling behaviours change over time

A new study sheds light on how gambling behaviours can develop and change as young people grow up and why early intervention matters.

The NSW Longitudinal Youth Gambling Study 2024, commissioned by the Responsible Gambling Fund and conducted by Central Queensland University, followed a group of young people over four years, surveying them first in 2020 and again in 2024.

The study found that young people who gambled while underage in 2020, particularly at harmful levels, were more likely to experience gambling harm four years later in 2024. Parents and peers played key roles in shaping young people’s attitudes, and young people who were cautious of gambling and the associated risks were less likely to experience gambling harm in 2024. The research reinforces an important message - gambling harm doesn’t start in adulthood; it often begins during childhood or adolescence.

Want to know more? Visit the GambleAware published research page to read the full report or a summary of the findings.

For tools and support tailored to young people, parents, and caregivers, check out the Supporting Young People section of the GambleAware website.

Help raise awareness this GambleAware Week

Take part in GambleAware Week, 20 - 26 October, to raise awareness that with gambling, there’s more to lose than money.

You can download posters, videos, and social media assets from the GambleAware website. Use them in your venues or online to support the campaign.

If you’re planning an event, register and promote it on the GambleAware website so your community can get involved.

For full details and resources, visit the GambleAware website.

Extended trading for NRL grand final

NRL fans will be able to celebrate until midnight on Sunday 5 October at all eligible licensed premises which show a live broadcast of the NRL season grand final.

Special event extended trading hours are made available under the Liquor Act 2007 for events that are of “regional, state or national significance.”

In anticipation of the NRL Final Series, licensees and venue operators are reminded of the need to ensure venues prioritise the safe and responsible service of alcohol. L&GNSW Inspectors will be conducting compliance activities during this period to ensure venues and packaged liquor outlets operate responsibly and in line with their requirements.

Read more about venue obligations

Investigation into overseas trips for club executives

An investigation by L&GNSW into 6 gaming machine manufacturers offering overseas trips to senior executives of registered clubs across NSW has been completed.  

The investigation considered alleged breaches of Section 43A of the Registered Clubs Act, in that the tours were offered as consideration for the purchase of gaming machines and did not have any education components or a genuine and specific course of study. 

The investigation is now complete and disciplinary complaints will be submitted to the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority in coming weeks for its consideration.

Gender equity training

• Gender equality, social structures, and preventing gendered violence
• Facts, definitions and statistics  
• Intersectionality - how gender, race and sexuality overlap
• Microaggressions - casual sexism that reinforce gender discrimination   
• The trauma-informed response to disclosures  
• Respect@work and other workplace instruments.

The training is provided by experienced gender equity trainers and is challenging, engaging and interactive. For more information, contact the trainer.

NSW House is back at SXSW Sydney 2025

Seeking inspiration from the best minds across music, screen, digital games and technology?

From 14 to 16 October, NSW House will be humming with energy - connect with your peers, hear bold ideas from the sharpest minds and engage in conversations that will continue beyond the room.  

This year, it’ll be housed at Darling Pavilion, perfectly placed next to Tumbalong Park, where all the action happens. With practical advice and opportunities for support, this is an event not to be missed.

See the world from a new perspective and reserve your spot now.

Explore the full program

Last chance: Get up to $80k to host live performances at your venue

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Applications are closing soon for the Live Performance Grant Program.  

If you’re a small-to-medium hospitality venue in NSW, don't miss this chance to boost your live performance offering. The Live Performance Venue Grant Program provides up to $80,000 in funding to help eligible NSW venues to cover sound equipment, staging, marketing and performer costs - so you can bring more live music to your venue. 

Want to learn more? 
 
Head to the grant page to apply. 

Applications close 2:00pm Tuesday 23 September 2025. 

Missed an issue? Read previous issues of our newsletter.

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