Licensed premises throughout Newcastle and the Hunter could soon be forced to remove VIP Lounge signage in a bid to reduce problem gambling.
The NSW Government plans to ban external displays, highlighting areas such as gaming rooms, from pubs and clubs across the state by 1 September.
The move comes after legislation was introduced in the first sitting week of the new Parliament to prohibit venues with pokies from donating to NSW political parties.
Local pubs and clubs are expected to be formally notified from next week that all outside gambling-related signs, including fixed unilluminated awning signs to digital video displays, will need to be removed, altered or concealed before the September deadline.
Names comprising VIP Room/VIP Lounge, Golden Room/Lounge, Players’ Room/Lounge Prosperity Room/Lounge will be among those banned as well as images of dragons, coins or lightning motifs.
“We’re committed to introducing important gambling harm-minimisation measures,” Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said.
“The façades of pubs and clubs across the state are littered with signs such as VIP lounge to alert those walking or driving by that they have gaming machines.
“Some of them are extremely prominent, can be seen by children and members of the community who are at risk of gambling harm.
“While there are already laws in place that prohibit gaming-related signage, venue operators have circumvented these by advertising VIP Lounges.
“We are putting an end to this loophole for the health and wellbeing of our communities.”
Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) has developed a position paper, which outlines its enforcement approach and transition period.
As part of this, venue operators have three months to remove all gaming-related signage.
For those who can validate delays, outside of their control, they will be afforded a further three months to comply.
Following this period, a zero-tolerance approach stands.
The expectations for removal of signs will be applied in a staged manner, to afford venues the time to remove, switch off, conceal or otherwise change both static and electronic signage.
The maximum penalty attributable for those who fail to do so and breach the Act is 100 penalty units, or $11,000, per offence.
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