Liquor & Gaming Licensing

In NSW, liquor & gaming licensing is overseen by the NSW Office of Liquor Gaming & Racing.

Following a major re-write of liquor licensing laws that came into effect from 1 July 2008, applications are now dealt with by the Casino Liquor and Gaming Control Authority, an independent body who determines liquor licence and gaming authority applications as well as disciplinary action relating to those licences in NSW. This authority replaced the Licensing Court, the Liquor Administration Board and the NSW Casino Control Authority.

Stacks commercial property practitioners can assist you to understand the regulatory regime associated with liquor and gaming licensing under the Liquor Act 2007 and Liquor Regulations 2008, the Gaming Machines Act 2001 and Gaming Machines Regulation 2002.

Types of liquor licences

There are different types of liquor licences, depending on the type of venue and the method of distribution of liquor. These include:
  • Club (RSL's, bowling and golf clubs etc)
  • hotel (includes combination of drinking on premises and takeaway sales)
  • limited (functions and events)
  • packaged (bottle shops)
  • on-premises (restaurants, etc) and;
  • producer/wholesaler licences 

Requirements of proposed licensees

All proposed licensees are required to undertake the 'Responsible Service of Alcohol' course prior to taking over the licence. Most prospective licensees are also required to either have experience in the liquor industry or have done a course of instruction in running licensed premises prior to being granted a liquor licence. If the premises contain gambling devices the licensee is also required to undertake the 'Responsible Conduct of Gambling' course.

Liquor licences are generally tied to the licensed premises, such as a Club, Restaurant or Hotel. For example if a lessee of a Hotel is evicted from the premises, there are provisions to enable the owner of the premises to transfer the licence to another lessee, without the former licensee’s permission. Otherwise the current licensee is generally required to transfer the licence to the incoming licensee.

Stacks can advise you about all aspects of liquor and gaming licencing that apply to your situation.
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