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June 27, 2026

Gaming compliance checks underway across regional NSW

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Casino Suspension Bridge opens

Minister For Small Business, Recovery and North Coast Janelle Saffin joined Mayor Robert Mustow and Member for Page Kevin Hogan to officially opening the Casino Suspension Bridge today (Saturday).

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Schools Roadshow heads to Lismore

The Rivers Secondary College Lismore High Campus will host 80 principals and public school leaders from across the North Coast and New England on Friday 26 June as part of the 2026 Schools Roadshow.

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) is conducting a compliance operation across regional NSW throughout March to ensure venues adhere to gaming regulations that promote responsible gambling and reduce harm.

Inspectors will visit clubs and hotels to ensure venues understand and comply with external gambling signage rules and recent changes to requirements for the location of ATMs and cash dispensing facilities.

They will also check that venues have appointed Responsible Gambling Officers, maintained Gambling Incident Registers, and adhered to Gaming Plans of Management.

pokies
Pokies. Unsplash.

Ongoing effort

L&GNSW Acting Executive Director of Regulatory Operations Bernadette Beard said the operation is part of an ongoing effort to work with venues to ensure responsible gambling laws are upheld.

‘Our compliance operation is well underway, with inspectors visiting venues across regional NSW to ensure they are aware of their obligations,’ Ms Beard said.

‘A key focus will be on the gaming reforms that took effect on January 1, 2025, which mandate that ATMs and other cash dispensing facilities must be positioned at least five metres from gaming room entrances or exits and kept out of sight from gaming areas and machines.’

Ms Beard said recent inspections in Sydney and other metropolitan areas have identified multiple venues not following the rules, leading to penalties where necessary.

‘Since the new cash dispensing rules were introduced, L&GNSW has visited more than 900 clubs and hotels, issuing 53 cautions and three penalty infringement notices to 44 non-compliant venues, with several others under investigation,’ Ms Beard said.

‘We’re here to assist venues in meeting their responsibilities, but compliance is essential, and enforcement action will be taken where required.’

For more information, visit the L&GNSW website.



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Byron’s Winter Whales raise $43,000

The Byron Bay Winter Whales (BBWW) took to the ocean for the 39th time this year on the first Sunday of May and raised $43,000 for local organisations and charities.

When it comes to real estate, everyone can use an advocate

With 45 years combined experience across both sales and property management, husband and wife team Mark and Michelle Errichiello have recently moved to the Northern Rivers and teamed up with Byron Property Search to provide advocacy services for people looking to buy or sell across the region.

Savour The Tweed returns, 22 October

Food and drink event, Savour The Tweed, returns to excite tastebuds this spring, from Wednesday 22 October to Sunday 26 October.

Conservationists welcome carbon credit scheme to protect forests

Today’s release of the government’s proposed Improved Native Forest Method, which allows governments to claim carbon credits in return for stopping logging has been welcomed by the North East Forest Alliance and North Coast Environment Council as "providing a way to end native forest logging on public land".