All external gambling-related signs, including fixed un-illuminated awning signs to digital video displays, will need to be removed, altered or concealed across the State by September 1.
Statistics from Liquor & Gaming NSW, show that in Canterbury Bankstown there are 33 pubs with 913 machines which turned a profit of $157m in the six months to November 22, while the 27 clubs shared 3,822 machines with a $204m profit for the same time.
Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, said the Government was committed to introducing important gambling harm-minimisation measures.
“The facades 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,” he said.
“Some of these signs are extremely prominent, can be seen by children and members of the community who are at risk of gambling harm.”
Where venues can demonstrate delays in removing their signage that are outside of their control, they will be afforded a further three months to comply, following which a zero-tolerance approach will be adopted.
Names such as VIP Room/VIP Lounge, Golden Room/Lounge, Players’ Room/Lounge, Prosperity Room/Lounge will be among names banned as well as images of dragons, coins or lightning motifs.
The removal will be occurring in a staged manner and those who fail to remove their signs could faces fines of $11,000 an offence.
