NSW government to assess effectiveness of RG controls

The New South Wales (NSW) Government has set out plans to conduct a study into the effectiveness of existing responsible gambling measures in the Australian state and consider ways to better protect consumers from gambling-related harm.

The New South Wales Government has set out plans to conduct a study into the effectiveness of existing responsible gambling measures in the Australian state and consider ways to better protect consumers from gambling-related harm.

Commissioned by the Government’s Responsible Gambling Fund, the study will focus on the state’s Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG). This sets out current training and practices that licensees, club secretaries and any staff involved with gaming machine must complete.

The Responsible Gambling Fund has appointed Central Queensland University to carry out the research, with plans to undertake an anonymous survey and focus groups with RCG competency card holders.

The survey will be sent out via email to people who have completed the RCG certificate or refresher course in the last five years. This process will begin in August.

Findings will be made available to the public, with a report, with anonymised responses, to be published next year.

“There has not been a recent comprehensive examination undertaken in NSW into the effectiveness of RCG training,” director of the Office of Responsible Gambling, Natalie Wright, said.

“We are committed to working towards zero gambling harm in NSW. We need to ensure we have a dynamic and robust standard of RCG training for all accredited staff to support them to prevent gambling harm in our communities.”