LIQUOR & GAMING
Liquor & Gaming Jonathon Root
New venue licence required from 1 July 2023 Legislation to restructure the gaming market in Tasmania was passed into law in December 2021. A new market structure will commence on 1 July 2023. Changes are significant and affect keno, electronic gaming machines, network monitoring and the community support levy. Licensed Premises Gaming Licences will cease on 30 June 2023. NewVenue Licences will be required. Existing licensed premises gaming operators in hotels and clubs (including keno only operators) will need to apply for a new ‘venue licence’ to continue offering gaming activities. A website at www.gaming.tas.gov.au has been created for applicants. The site explains what you need to do to be ready on time. Subscribe for updates, and watch your email for further information from the Branch. We will use email, our website and our quarterly newsletter to provide regular updates. Annual fee notices for liquor licensees Licensees will have received an annual fee notice in early February requesting payment of the annual liquor licence fee by 31 March 2022. Penalties apply for late payments and if payment continues to be outstanding, licences can be suspended or cancelled. Details on how to pay are included in the fee notice. If you haven’t received a notice, I encourage you to contact the Branch promptly. I also encourage all licensees to familiarise themselves with requirements under the Liquor Licensing Act 1990. Licensees are required to advise, in writing (email to licensing@treasury. tas.gov.au), of any changes affecting a licensee, including any change to associates, changes to a licensee’s contact information or when the licensee or an associates is found guilty of an
offence. Alterations to a licensed premises must also be approved prior to the alteration occurring. Compliance with Gaming Control Act 1993 In late 2021 the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission contacted all gaming licensees regarding common breaches of the Act. In particular: • CCTV surveillance: licensees are reminded that recorded CCTV footage must be retained for 14 days. • EFTPOS cash transactions: Access to cash through EFTPOS transactions must be limited to $200 per customer per day for any purpose. • Staff lacking special employee licences: All gaming staff must have a special employee licence. Details of these licences must be registered and available upon request of a Compliance Inspector. Information on special employee licences can be found on the Liquor and Gaming homepage (https://www.treasury. tas.gov.au/liquor-and-gaming). • Excluded persons: An up-to-date record of excluded persons for a venue must be maintained and be accessible for all gaming staff to view. Significant penalties may apply when these requirements are not met. For further information please contact us By email licensing@treasury.tas.gov.au or gaming@treasury.tas.gov.au or By phone 6166 4040.
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