The Gaming Machine Act 1991 requires that all gaming machine licence holders have in place a gaming-related compliance program that meets minimum standards.
The purpose of these minimum standards is to ensure that existing and new licensees have in place documented systems and controls to assist them in meeting their obligations under the Gaming Machine Act.
Although this is the primary focus of the minimum standards, the same systems and controls are also relevant to licensees as tools to assist them in monitoring their implementation of voluntary aspects of the Queensland Responsible Gambling Code of Practice and in meeting obligations associated with other gambling activities they may provide (e.g. Keno, wagering and charitable and non-profit gaming activities).
This guideline has the following purposes:
- to provide guidance as to what must be contained in a licensee’s gaming-related compliance program for it to meet the minimum standards
- to provide additional information to assist licensees in the development, implementation and ongoing review of their gaming-related compliance program.
There are eight minimum standards for a gaming-related compliance program.
For all licensees:
- a statement of commitment to gaming-related compliance
- a standing agenda item dealing with matters of compliance at meetings of the board of directors/management committee/partners (not applicable to natural person licensees)
- documented complaint handling and incident escalation procedures in place that address gaming-related issues
- a documented process for training in gaming-related functions
- an adequate system of record keeping.
Additionally, for clubs only:
- key financial, contractual and operational matters remain under the control of the board of directors/management committee
- documented processes to ensure that:
- the board of directors/management committee familiarise themselves with the club’s constitutional objectives
- these objectives are always taken into account in relation to business planning, implementation and review
- documented systems to ensure proper accountability
Compliance program document
The compliance program document is a vital element of a licensee’s gaming-related compliance program. As is highlighted in the body of this guideline (against each minimum standard), the compliance program document contains the specific details of the licensee’s compliance program, including references to associated documents.
It is from the compliance program document that the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) will make an initial assessment of whether the licensee’s compliance program meets minimum standards.
Assessments of whether compliance programs have been implemented and are operating in accordance with minimum standards will be made on an ongoing basis by OLGR gaming inspectors when performing compliance audits and inspections of licensed premises.
For more information go to the Queensland Government guidelines HERE.