The Betting and Racing Regulation and Totalizator Regulation were introduced in 2012, but in roughly three months’ time, will be repealed.
They are both due to expire in September, so New South Wales’ Government has complied draft replacements and launched a public consultation for community and industry feedback.
The current regulations cover gambling harm minimisation measures, such as counselling services, penalty notice prescriptions, allowable TAB shareholdings and special exemptions. While the draft regulations maintain many of the existing rules, they propose several key changes.
This includes “strengthening harm minimisation principles and responsible gambling practices,” such as specifying some inducements.
For example, offers “promoting free entry into a competition, conditional on having a betting account, are harmful offers and are proposed to be prescribed.”
Other changes include the introduction of certain penalty notices for the first time and adjusting fee collection annually for inflation.
“A large proportion of the community derive great pleasure from wagering and enjoy placing a bet without it becoming a problem,” said Anthony Keon, Hospitality and Racing CEO.
“The protections in the regulations not only create sustainability for the industry, but certainty for the community that licensees are fit to conduct gambling, that penalties are fair and proportionate and that there is communication and engagement with people who do experience gambling harms.”
Individuals and stakeholders have until 22 June to offer feedback. This can be done by completing a survey or uploading a written submission on the NSW Government website. Alternatively, people can post a written submission to Liquor & Gaming NSW.
Keon concluded: “With this consultation, we are looking to capture the interests of all stakeholders to ensure a thriving wagering industry can also operate in the community’s interests.”
