Responsible Gambling Services (RCG) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

NICC jurisdiction

The NSW Independent Casino Commission regulates casinos, including licensing, special employees, and casino compliance, while Liquor & Gaming NSW regulates hotels and clubs.

L&GNSW role

Liquor & Gaming NSW licenses and monitors hotels, clubs, and other non-casino gambling venues, conducts audits, and can issue penalty notices or impose licence conditions.

Gaming Machines Act 2001

NSW legislation controlling poker machine operation in hotels and clubs, covering machine entitlements, operating hours, signage, and responsible gambling obligations.

Casino Control Act 1992

NSW law governing casino licensing and operations, including special employee approvals and casino-specific responsible gambling duties administered by the NICC.

Unlawful Gambling Act 1998

NSW statute making gambling unlawful unless authorised by other gaming legislation; it underpins enforcement against unlicensed operators and illegal gambling activities.

Gambling harm definition

In NSW, gambling harm means adverse consequences from gambling for a person, their family, or the wider community, extending beyond financial loss to health and relationships.

RCG certificate requirement

Staff who supervise or operate gambling activities in NSW must hold a current Responsible Conduct of Gambling certificate and produce it on request by an authorised inspector.

Regulatory notification duty

Venues must notify the regulator of prescribed incidents, changes to key personnel, and certain gaming machine malfunctions within the required timeframes.

RCG on-duty rule

At least one RCG-certified staff member must be on duty whenever gaming machines are operating, and must be able to supervise the gaming area directly.

Mandatory signage content

Venues must display the NSW Gambling Help line number, self-exclusion information, house responsible gambling policy, and warnings about gambling risks in gaming areas.

Minors in gaming areas

People under 18 must not enter gaming machine areas or gamble; staff must check identification where age is uncertain and remove minors immediately.

Intoxicated patron rule

Intoxicated patrons must be refused entry to gaming areas and stopped from gambling; intoxication is grounds for exclusion under both liquor and gaming requirements.

Credit prohibition

Venues must not extend credit or cash cheques for gambling, and must not accept bank cards for gambling machine play; cash advances for gambling are prohibited.

Self-exclusion scheme

A formal arrangement where a patron agrees to be excluded from a venue or gaming area; staff must verify status and refuse entry to excluded patrons.

Venue-initiated exclusion

A venue can exclude a patron whose behaviour indicates significant harm; the decision requires documented reasons and notification to the regulator where required.

Gaming area supervision

Gaming machine areas must be arranged so staff can observe machines and patrons at all times; blind spots and unsupervised areas are not permitted.

Harm warning signs

Indicators include chasing losses, borrowing money, gambling longer than intended, neglecting work or family, secrecy, mood changes, and repeated cash advance requests.

Early intervention steps

Approach the patron privately, express concern, offer information about help services, and record the interaction according to venue procedure.

NSW Gambling Help line

The free, confidential 24/7 telephone service 1800 858 858 provides counselling, information, and referral for people affected by gambling harm.

Referral pathways

Staff should refer patrons to Gambling Help services, financial counselling, and mental health services rather than attempting to counsel patrons themselves.

Harm minimisation measures

Measures include pre-commitment tools, machine shutdown periods, restrictions on advertising targeting vulnerable patrons, and limits on inducements to gamble.

Incident escalation

Serious incidents such as threats, self-harm, or large losses must be recorded and escalated to the duty manager and, where required, to the regulator.

Chasing losses pattern

A patron increasing bets or duration to recover losses is a key harm indicator requiring staff intervention and referral to support services.

Privacy in intervention

Interventions should be conducted discreetly to protect patron dignity and privacy, while still being documented in the venue's incident records.

Signage placement rules

Signage must be clearly visible and legible at gaming area entrances, cashier points, and within gaming areas; damaged or obscured signs must be replaced promptly.

House responsible gambling policy

A venue document setting out its responsible gambling practices, available to patrons and staff on request, and consistent with the NSW Code of Practice.

Compliance audit checks

L&GNSW audits may examine RCG certificates, signage, exclusion records, incident logs, and staff knowledge of harm indicators and intervention procedures.

Record-keeping requirements

Venues must keep logs of excluded patrons, incidents, staff training, and machine faults, and retain records for the prescribed period.

Advertising restrictions

Gambling advertising and promotions must not target minors, encourage excessive gambling, or misrepresent the odds or nature of gambling.

Enforcement tools

Regulatory enforcement includes penalty notices, licence conditions, suspension or cancellation, and referral for prosecution; venues can respond to show-cause notices.

Gaming area separation

Gaming machine areas must be physically separated from other areas, with clear signage at entrances and exits indicating the age restriction.

Staff training records

Venues must document responsible gambling training for staff, including RCG certification status and refresher training, and retain records for inspection.