The grace period for NSW pubs and clubs ends this Saturday (February 1). Photo: stock
A grace period for clubs and clubs in NSW to comply with new ATM laws runs out this Saturday.
The laws state that ATMs or other cash dispensing machines must be located at least 5m from the entrance to a gaming room and not be visible from any machine or the entrance.
The state government says the new rules took effect on January 1, with a one-month grace period.
But from Saturday, February 1, Liquor and Gaming NSW officers will take a zero-tolerance approach.
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris says all pubs and clubs in NSW with gaming machines must comply.
“It’s pleasing to hear the majority of venues inspected have complied with the new rules regarding placement of cash dispensing machines,” he says.
“I urge any licensees still to make the necessary changes to do so as quickly as possible or they can expect a strong enforcement response.”
The government says that of more than 225 venues across 17 council areas inspected, 30 venues had yet to comply.
Liquor and Gaming NSW will run a compliance campaign throughout February to ensure venues are compliant.
ANTI-HARM MEASURES
The new measures are the latest in a suite of reforms introduced by the state government since June 1, 2023, to reduce gambling harm. These include:
- ban signs or advertising for pokies on, or visible from an ATM or EFTPOS terminal;
- reduce the NSW gaming machine entitlement cap by more than 3000;
- ban political donations from clubs with pokies;
- reduce the cash input limit on new gambling machines from $5000 to $500;
- ban all external gambling signage in venues;
- introduce Responsible Gambling Officers for venues with more than 20 machines;
- create an independent panel to trial cashless gaming in pubs and clubs;
- spend $100m on harm minimisation (research, prevention, services and reform).
