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BUSINESSES URGED TO REMAIN COVID COMPLIANT AND KEEP NSW SAFE

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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 Café at Shelly Beach and BFF Café in Woy Woy, found to be not enforcing patron sign-in using the Service NSW QR code. The BFF Café was also found to have an out-of-date COVID Safety Plan and their physical sign-in register had not been digitised,” Mr Argeres said.

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“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 have centred around hospitality venues because 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 has not changed is having robust, digital check in processes that allows for effective contact tracing in the event a positive case has visited the venue.

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“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.

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Australia

Foxtel Breaches Gambling Ad Rules

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Foxtel Cable Television Pty Limited has breached gambling advertising rules during the broadcast of an AFL match between Port Adelaide and Essendon in April 2024.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found a virtual banner promoting a gambling operator that appeared during Foxtel’s coverage of the match failed to include an adequate responsible gambling message.

Under the subscription television code of practice, gambling advertisements, including banner ads, shown during broadcasts of live sport must be accompanied by a responsible gambling message.

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Authority member Carolyn Lidgerwood said if broadcasters are airing gambling advertisements during live sporting events, the responsible gambling message must be aired too.

“These messages must emphasise the potential harms and risks of gambling if it is not undertaken responsibly,” Ms Lidgerwood said.

“An ‘18+’ logo on its own is not an adequate responsible gambling message.”

Once the ACMA raised its concerns with Foxtel, the broadcaster acted quickly to ensure a responsible gambling tagline was added to the advertisement.

As a result of the ACMA’s investigation Foxtel has agreed to further staff training on the regulatory requirements around gambling advertisements. Foxtel will also report back to the ACMA on all the steps it is taking to ensure the gambling ads it broadcasts have sufficient responsible gambling messages.

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The post Foxtel Breaches Gambling Ad Rules appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Australia

VGCCC Continues Crackdown on Underage Gambling

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Following the successful prosecution of the Peninsula Club in Dromana, Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) CEO Annette Kimmitt AM reiterated the regulator would continue to crack down on venues that allow children to enter poker machine areas.

The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria fined Victorian Amateur Turf Club, the venue owner, $7000 for 2 breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (Vic) and ordered it to pay VGCCC costs of $3500. No conviction was recorded.

Ms Kimmitt said: “This is a warning to every venue. The onus is on you to ensure that children cannot and do not enter the gambling area or participate in any gambling activity, even if they’re with an adult.

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“Equally, staff must be adequately trained and present in the gambling area to supervise while machines are in use.

“Research tells us that people who begin gambling at a young age are at greater risk of developing gambling problems as an adult.

“The rules exist to protect children from exposure to, and harm from, gambling.”

On 10 June 2023, a child entered the gambling area of the Peninsula Club twice and was able to use the poker machines on both occasions. During the second visit to the area, while with adults, the child used a poker machine for about 5 minutes, until staff intervened.

Magistrate Ayres considered the venue’s self-reporting, its lack of prior convictions, early plea and remediations implemented to reduce the chance of future offending.

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The post VGCCC Continues Crackdown on Underage Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Australia

The Star Forced into Trading Halt After Failing to Publish Financial Results

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The Star Entertainment Group has been forced into a trading halt, after failing to publish its half-year results on Friday.

According to a company release, the halt starts on Monday, unless the group is able to lodge its periodic report by end of trading. Otherwise, the suspension will remain in effect until the report is lodged.

This appears unlikely, as the group notes that it can’t publish its 1HFY25 Report ‘unless, and until, it has secured a refinancing commitment that would enable The Star to refinance all of the Group’s existing corporate debt, as well as to provide additional liquidity’.

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According to reports, the group’s Chief Executive Steve McCann is working to secure over AU$100 million ($62 million) in short-term funding, hoping to keep the company afloat until May.

McCann is reportedly trying to access the AU$60 million ($37.3 million) garnered from the sale of the group’s Sydney events center last month, which is being held in escrow.

The funds, however, will only be released after approval from the New South Wales government.

If released, this would help McCann negotiate with lenders for the additional funding he hopes can prop up the group.

The Star has been warning for months that it has run out of cash, indicating in January that at the end of 2024 it held just AU$78 million ($48.5 million) in available cash.

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Despite owing lenders some AU$430 million ($267 million), The Star has not accepted offers both from its joint venture partners in Queen’s Wharf Brisbane (Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium) and by funds associated with Oaktree Capital Management.

Blackstone has indicated that it could be interested in an acquisition of The Star upon its entry into voluntary administration.

The post The Star Forced into Trading Halt After Failing to Publish Financial Results appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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