There’s a huge change coming to pubs and clubs in Australia’s largest city – and you’ll notice it VERY soon
- ‘VIP Lounge’ signage outside pubs and clubs to go
- Move is part of the crackdown on NSW playrooms
- Fines of up to $11,000 will apply for any violation
Gambling-related signage will be removed from pubs and clubs outside NSW as the new Labor government fulfills an election pledge.
All external gambling-related signs must be removed or changed by September 1.
Pubs and clubs will be formally notified from next week and will have three months to remove the signage.
If venues are unable to remove the signs due to circumstances beyond their control, they have an additional three months grace period to get rid of them.
Names such as ‘VIP room’ and ‘VIP lounge’ are among the banned terms, while images of dragons, coins or lightning are also banned from club signs.
Other prohibited signs include “Golden Room” and “Prosperity Lounge.”
Names such as ‘VIP room’ and ‘VIP lounge’ (pictured) are among the banned terms, while images of dragons, coins or lightning are also banned from club signs
Gambling minister David Harris said laws are already in place to ban gambling-related signage, but venue operators can circumvent the system by advertising so-called ‘VIP lounges’
Gambling Minister David Harris said laws are already in place to ban gambling-related signage, but venue operators can circumvent the system by advertising so-called ‘VIP lounges’.
“The facades of pubs and clubs across the state are dotted with signs such as ‘VIP lounge’ to warn passersby or passers-by that they have slot machines,” he said.
“We are closing this loophole.”
The government said it would work with industry associations and venues across NSW during the transition period.
Those who failed to remove their plates risked fines of up to $11,000 for each violation.
Mr Minns has also promised a cashless card trial on 500 machines from July 1 and other measures such as a reduction in slot machines and a ban on political donations from gambling clubs.
The former coalition government promised to go further and introduce mandatory cashless playing cards statewide with a daily spending limit.
But Wesley Mission said the new survey shows 56.7 per cent of NSW residents believe the government should abandon the 500 machine trial and instead fully implement a cashless system for poker machines.
“Casino based poker machines in NSW will be cashless next year, and all poker machines in Tasmania will be too,” Rev Stu Cameron, CEO of Wesley Mission, said Friday.
“There is also enough evidence of the successful implementation of cashless systems abroad to inform a full rollout in NSW.”
“One in three people told us they knew a co-worker, friend or family member who has been harmed by playing poker machines,” said Rev Stu Cameron, CEO of Wesley Mission.
The Wesley survey, which involved 1,000 people, also found that 70 percent of NSW residents believe the government is not doing enough to reform the poker machine industry and 66 percent believe it has too much influence over government policy.
“Community concern about the level of damage caused by poker machines remains very high,” said Rev. Cameron.
“One in three people told us they knew a colleague, friend or family member who had been harmed by playing poker machines.”
Last month, NSW Liquor and Gaming revealed that a record $8.1 billion was lost to poker machines in NSW last year – equivalent to $1,000 for every adult and child in the state.
The state government’s reform package was in response to the NSW Crime Commission’s findings that criminals were using the poker machines to launder money.