Information for licensees potentially affected by severe flooding in Hunter and Mid North Coast LGAs
In addition to the Government support already in place, Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) is ready and available to support affected licensees in managing their regulatory requirements during and after the event.
Operating as a support or evacuation centre
If your venue is operating as a support or evacuation centre, you can stay open beyond your licenced trading hours. However, it is important to note that the sale of alcohol and the operation of gambling facilities is not allowed outside of licenced trading hours.
Transfer and storage of gaming machines
Venues switching off or moving Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) should email MaxGaming at dms@max.com.au advising they are in a flood affected area and will disconnect their machines from the Centralised Monitoring System (CMS). Any such venues will be treated as Storage Venues. Alternatively, venues can submit a formal storage form.
Venues that disconnect and move their EGMs within the premises or to an offsite location (either an authorised facility, or the most suitable secure location), will not be subject to enforcement action for breaches arising from those movements, provided:
- The breach relates to the movement of EGMs away from flood-affected areas, or where there is a genuine risk of flooding or other weather-related risks.
- EGMs are not operated unless they are connected to the CMS.
- Any EGM moved within a venue still complies with ATM distance requirements, noting if this is not possible either the EGM or ATM must not be operated.
- Venues notify L&GNSW, via compliance.info@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au, with information about the security considerations and provisions made for the new safe storage location. Venues are also encouraged to notify MaxGaming and their respective Peak Body.
- Machines moved offsite are not operated.
The above conditions will apply until Friday 30 May 2025 at which point the arrangements will be revisited.
Extension of the Liquor Licence Fee Waiver application
If your venue is experiencing financial hardship or special circumstances, such as a natural disaster or recovery, you may apply for a full or partial waiver of the annual liquor licence fee. We have extended the deadline for submitting this application for venues within the 16 affected LGAs to 29 May 2025.
Where special circumstances exist, such as hardship caused by a natural disaster, supporting documents must be provided as evidence of this (e.g. insurance claims, photos of damage caused to venue).
Submit the Fee Waiver application
Additional and ongoing support
L&GNSW will continue to communicate additional mechanisms which can be used to best assist and support affected venues and communities.
Need to speak to someone at L&GNSW?
For general enquiries please call 1300 024 720 | Monday - Friday | 9am - 4pm or email us at contact.us@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au
For specialised support or assistance, you can contact the Hospitality Concierge at concierge@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au
For limited out of hours support or assistance you can contact the following members of the concierge:
- Phillip Pandelis – 0438 830 129
- Peter Groom – 0408 357 103