Australia
BUSINESSES URGED TO REMAIN COVID COMPLIANT AND KEEP NSW SAFE
The NSW hospitality industry is being put on notice with numerous serious breaches of COVID compliance being detected by Liquor & Gaming NSW inspectors.
Liquor & Gaming Director of Compliance Dimitri Argeres said the developing situation in Victoria is a timely reminder for businesses to remain vigilant as inspectors are still out checking COVID compliance, and that there are no excuses for not requiring patrons to sign-in with the Service NSW QR Code.
“The most recent breaches were detected last week during a COVID compliance blitz on the Central Coast with two venues, Munchas CafĂ© at Shelly Beach and BFF CafĂ© in Woy Woy, found to be not enforcing patron sign-in using the Service NSW QR code. The BFF CafĂ© was also found to have an out-of-date COVID Safety Plan and their physical sign-in register had not been digitised,” Mr Argeres said.
“The courts have also fined three Sydney hospitality businesses a total of $5,400 this month for breaches, sending a strong message to the industry about the importance of COVID compliance.
“This is in addition to restaurants Sushi Hon and Pho Tonkin being fined $5,000 each for COVID non-compliance this month, after a Sydney blitz targeting COVID safety and venues involved in the NSW Government’s Dine & Discover program.
“At this stage of the pandemic, there is simply no excuse for not complying with the check-in requirements. Businesses must be vigilant with their QR code check-in, as this data will be vital in contact tracing if NSW experiences an outbreak like Victoria. Significant penalties, including closure of a venue, apply for non-compliance.
“The majority of clusters in NSW haveâŻcentred around hospitality venuesâŻbecause of the ease with which the COVID virus can spread in enclosed indoor areas, so it is vital restaurants continue to stay COVID safe.
“There have been some changes and businesses must remain up-to-date. But what hasâŻnot changed is having robust, digitalâŻcheck in processesâŻthat allows for effective contact tracing in the event a positive caseâŻhas visited the venue.
“Contact tracing is essential in maintaining the health of NSW and helps keeps businesses safe and open. Our inspectors will continue to undertake both uniformed and plain clothes inspections, so if you’re breaking the rules you run a high risk of receiving a hefty fine or a closure in the event of repeat offending,” he said.
Recent court cases relating to breaches of the COVID-19 Public Health Orders include:
On 11 September 2020, L&G Inspectors attended the Ship Inn in Sydney to conduct a COVID-19 compliance check. They found the gaming machines were not spaced 1.5m apart, as required by their COVID-19 Safety Plan. The owner was given a 12-month conditional release order and ordered to pay costs of $3,000.
On 4 November 2020, L&G Inspectors attended the Three Brothers Bakery in Liverpool to conduct a COVID-19 compliance check and found they didn’t have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place. The owner was found guilty and fined $400.
On 17 November 2020, L&G Inspectors attended Fujiyama Japanese Cuisine restaurant in Bankstown to conduct COVID-19 compliance check. They were convicted of not having a COVID Safety Plan, not capturing or digitising all patron records, and not having conditions of entry posted, and fined $2,000.
For more information on NSW COVID Safe Check-in and record keeping requirements visit the Service NSW website.
Australia
NSW Govt Appoints New Board Members to ILGA
The NSW Government has made appointments to the board of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), including a deputy chairperson and two new members.
Associate Professor Amelia Thorpe and Nicholas Nichles have been appointed following a rigorous public expression of interest selection process. Additionally, existing member Chris Honey has been appointed deputy chairperson.
ILGA is a statutory decision-maker responsible for a range of liquor, registered club and gaming machine regulatory functions including determining licensing and disciplinary matters.
The appointments follow the end of the term of appointment for outgoing deputy chairperson Sarah Dinning, and also fill vacancies that existed on the board.
Mr Honey, who was appointed a member of ILGA earlier in 2024, has been named deputy chairperson until the end of his current appointment term (11 February 2027).
Mr Honey has extensive experience in the advisory and restructuring field, including working extensively in highly regulated sectors.
Associate Professor Thorpe and Mr Nichles have both been appointed for four years commencing 6 November 2024.
Associate Prof Thorpe is with the Faculty of Law & Justice at the University of New South Wales and an Acting Commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court.
Mr Nichles was previously a Consul General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Australian Government agency Austrade, based in the US.
The new appointments bring the ILGA board membership to seven. The new appointments will join chairperson Caroline Lamb, new deputy chairperson Mr Honey and current members Cathie Armour, Jeffrey Loy APM and Dr Suzanne Craig.
Australia
Australiaâs BetStop Receives International Regulatory Award
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been recognised with an international award for regulatory excellence for the launch of BetStop â the National Self-Exclusion Register.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) announced that the ACMA received the Regulatory Excellence Award at the 2024 global regulators conference, citing the complex delivery and regulatory challenges that were overcome to create Australiaâs first centralised exclusion register.
ACMA Chair Nerida OâLoughlin praised ACMA staff who worked on the initiative and the success of the register in helping people make considered and supported decisions about their gambling.
âBetStop â the National Self-Exclusion Register represents a significant enhancement of consumer safeguards available to Australians who gamble,â Ms OâLoughlin said.
âThe IAGR award for regulatory excellence is a recognition of the dedication and collaboration of ACMA staff in delivering this important safeguard, which has supported the more than 30,000 Australians registered to date.â
Figures released in August to mark the registerâs first 12 months showed younger Australians embracing self-exclusion, with almost half of registrants aged 30 and under and around 80% aged 40 and under.
Australia
ALLIANCE PARTNERS TABCORP AND 1/ST CONTENT COMPLETE DEAL WITH THE JOCKEY CLUB OF TURKIYE TO DELIVER TURKISH RACING TO AUSTRALIA VIA SKY RACING
The Jockey Club of Turkiye (TĂŒrkiye Jokey KulĂŒbĂŒ, âTJKâ) has entered into a long-term agreement with Tabcorp, Australiaâs foremost wagering and entertainment company, and 1/ST CONTENT â a key division of 1/ST, the premier racing company in the Americas â to deliver domestic Turkish Racing to Australian fans via Sky Racing.
This breakthrough partnership will allow Tabcorp to distribute live domestic Turkish racing via its suite of market-leading Sky Racing channels in Australia for tote (pari-mutuel) and fixed-odds betting, thereby opening the gateway to broadcast more top-class and competitive Turkish racing to both wagering and non-wagering fans of the sport.
Tabcorpâs wagering arm, TAB, which has retail exclusivity across most of Australia, will be the first wagering operator to offer both vision and betting on racing from Turkey for its customers.
1/ST CONTENT, TJK, and B2E Racing Content, an Irish racing content company, have worked side-by-side to deliver on this opportunity to benefit racing fans worldwide. As TJKâs exclusive long-term partner, not only for international media and wagering distribution but also new pari-mutuel wagering types and fixed-odds technology, 1/ST CONTENTâs trading team and sister company 1/ST TECHNOLOGYâs overarching platform will facilitate the requisite betting architecture and pathways.
A fully-owned subsidiary of Tabcorp, Sky Racing imports and broadcasts over 72,000 international races per year. Now, all of Turkish racing, including highlights such as the world-renowned Gazi Derby, is available to Australian audiences alongside other feature global festivals like this week’s Breedersâ Cup World Championships, the US Triple Crown, the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot.
Paul Carew, Chief Operating Officer at Tabcorp, said:Â âThanks to our wider strategic alliance with 1/ST CONTENT, together with Arena Racing and Racecourse Media Group, Sky Racing continues to strengthen its position as Australiaâs passport to the best international racing, and this new deal eloquently demonstrates that point. Itâs a partnership that underlines our ongoing dedication to corralling more top-quality racing, this time from Turkey, a country boasting a rich history with thoroughbred racing. Anyone whoâs ever seen the Gazi Derby knows this is a nation that loves its horses, and it routinely produces thrilling action together with some breakout trainers and jockeys on the world stage.
âWeâd like to thank our good friends at both the TJK and 1/ST CONTENT for facilitating this delivery and integration in trademark seamless fashion. It is exciting for racing operators who are connected with our strategic alliance partners to start enjoying the benefits of our new co-operation.â
Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President International at 1/ST CONTENT, added: âThis agreement once again shows the power and flexibility that our recent strategic alliance has secured, with the localized expertise to benefit a host of new global clients. These complementary long-term partnerships are the bloodline for bringing a first-class international racing experience to new audiences.
âThis TJK deal also harnesses 1/STâs broader array of products and services, demonstrating how a growing cohesion between our varied international partners is helping to return value to the genuine stakeholders of the sport in any given jurisdiction.
âTabcorp naturally represent a strong and enduring collaboration for 1/ST CONTENT in the Australian market. Their distributional scope across digital and retail is second to none, while their local expertise is always a guiding hand for our delivery. We also look forward to further leveraging this relationship by delivering Turkish racing via Sky Channel to Tabcorpâs Asian customers in early 2025.â
Tuncel Aydın, Chief Executive Officer at TJK, commented: âTabcorpâs Sky Racing is all about expanding the variety of premium international racing, and weâre thrilled to have added our exclusive Turkish content to this all-encompassing gateway for the finest assemblage of worldwide racing.
âWe have already been impressed by the accuracy and reliability of 1/ST CONTENTâs betting technology and comprehensive international distribution, so they were our supplier of choice to enable this partnership which will drive growth and diversified revenues for our own domestic racing.â
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