Australia v New South Wales
Summary
In NSW, gambling regulation is divided: Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) oversees betting, pub/club slot machines and advertising; The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) is a separate casino watchdog. The state has strengthened harm reduction measures: a ban on external "gaming" signage in pubs/clubs, a cash download limit of up to $500 on new EGMs, a requirement for responsible gaming officers in large establishments, and a cashless gaming pilot. There is a federal IGA for online wagering and NSW charges a point-of-consumption tax of 15 per cent.
Regulators and Legal Framework
Liquor & Gaming NSW - betting/slot machine and advertising regulator; leads guides on inducements, self-exclusion, and responsible play practices.
NICC (NSW Independent Casino Commission) - tight casino oversight; from 2022 can fine up to A $100 million. Against the backdrop of Bell Review, sanctions and enhanced management are applied to The Star.
Federal circuit - online wagering/advertising in terms of prohibitions are regulated by Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) (see Australia review). NSW supplements this with its own advertising/inducement norms.
What's allowed and what's not allowed in NSW
Betting and betting
Legal sports betting/horse racing at licensed operators within the state and federation; at the state level, 15% is valid according to CT from 1. 07. 2022.
Slot machines (pubs/clubs)
C 1. 07. 2023 cash download limit on new EGMs - $500 (previously $5,000); a course towards reducing the total number of EGMs and new requirements for responsible gambling (officer on duty, management plans, incident logs, limiting ATMs/cache zone pointers).
Prohibition of external "game" signage (e.g. "VIP Lounge") and internal signs visible from the street - from 1. 09. 2023.
Casino
Casinos overseen by NICC; after Bell Review for The Star Sydney - penalty and extended management mode until fitness is re-assessed.
Advertising and "inducements"
In NSW, advertising of inductees (including the call to "open an account"), including online channels, is prohibited; offence - an offence regardless of disclaimers "not for NSW."
Taxes and fees (in terms of rates)
Point-of-Consumption Tax (PoCT): 15% of NSW net over-threshold betting revenue; 10% were in effect until 30. 06. 2022.
Harm reduction measures and operator liability
Self-exclusion and support
All sites are required to offer self-exclusion schemes and communication in EGM areas; there is a state system and multidimensional self-exclusion MVSE (multi-institution).
Cashless Pilot and Control Technology
From 2023-2024 A cashless gaming pilot is being conducted at EGM under the auspices of the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform to assess the effects on harm/AML risks/user comfort.
Additional site requirements
Responsible Gambling Officer in shift (for sites> 20 EGM), management plans, incident logs, ATM placement restrictions (invisibility from play areas, distance to entrance, etc.).
Enforcement and market context
Audit reports 2025 record: despite the multi-year reduction policy, the EGM fleet remains the largest; the government adopted recommendations for measurable harm reduction KPIs and strengthened the reform package (signage, cash limits, staff).
NICC continues the "increased surveillance" scenario for The Star; the frame of fines up to A $100 million remains a key lever.
High-level checklist
1. Advertising and promo: do not publish inductions (including offers to open an account, "registration bonuses") - even with disclaimers "not for NSW."
2. EGM control: provide a $500 download limit on new machines, RG officer (> 20 EGM), plans/logs, ATM rules and no visible "gaming" sign.
3. Self-exclusion: connect and administer self-exclusion programs; correctly handle MVSE bans.
4. Cashless pilot: with participation - observe pilot parameters and report to Independent Panel/L & GNSW.
5. PoST 15%: correct calculation/reporting of net NSW revenue rates and thresholds.
6. Casino vendors: take into account the NICC mode and increased fines/suitability requirements.
Perspective (2025-2027)
NSW is systematically strengthening harm-minimisation and environmental controls: signage, cash limits, staff standards, digital pilots. In the online part, the trend is support for the federal line (IGA, ban on credit cards/crypto) and tough advertising discipline at the state level. For casinos, the key risks are compliance and suitability testing overseen by NICC.
Terms
L&GNSW is the betting/pokies/advertising regulator in NSW.
NICC is an independent casino commission (fines up to A $100 million, increased supervision).
PoCT (NSW) - Local Rate Tax: 15% from 1. 07. 2022.
MVSE - multi-object self-exclusion system (model "one statement - several sites").
Cashless gaming trial - a cashless technology pilot on EGM under the auspices of the Independent Panel (since 2023).