New South Wales set to ban enhanced odds and welcome offers
New Secretary powers, additional fixed penalty notices and inflation adjusted fees all apart of new gambling regulations
The New South Wales (NSW) government has proposed key changes to the region’s gambling regulations, which are currently set to expire in September 2022.
The new regulations will be titled the Betting and Racing Regulation 2022 and the Totalizator Regulation 2022.
Among the new suite of changes, the draft proposes fines for offenders instead of taking those who break regulations to court.
The headlining proposal is a blanket ban on operators from offering potential new customers welcome offers and special odds offers.
These new regulations will also give the Secretary the power to change the wording of mandatory counselling and gambling help notices as the evidence base changes, without drafting new legislation.
Lastly, under the new regulations, sporting bodies will have to inform the Minister of any changes in circumstances as well.
This review into regulations has come about to ensure that the law remains in line with changes in the industry and keeps to what the community expects from those in government.
Anthony Keon, CEO Hospitality and Racing, said: “A large proportion of the community derive great pleasure from wagering and enjoy placing a bet without it becoming a problem.
“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.
“Essentially, the regulations support the legislation and are there to set the standards around the conduct of betting service providers so punters can freely pursue wagering as a safe form of leisure and entertainment.”
The current regulations were first introduced in 2012 but are set to be repealed when they expire in September.
The NSW government is giving stakeholders until 22 June to voice any concerns and issues they may have. Any changes to the proposed new regulations will be announced subsequently.
Keon added: “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.”