The licensee of a Homebush West hotel has been fined a total of $28,400 following a Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) investigation that uncovered serious breaches of gaming machine laws.

A Downing Centre Local Court magistrate convicted and fined the licensee of Markets Hotel on Tuesday, 8 April for allowing patrons to play gaming machines outside approved hours over three consecutive weekends in July 2023.

L&GNSW Acting Executive Director of Regulatory Operations Bernadette Beard said the fine sends a strong message that such violations will not be tolerated.

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“This venue allowed 29 gaming machines to be operated between 3am and 6am on Saturday and Sunday mornings, breaching the shutdown rules,” Ms Beard said.

“These restrictions are in place to reduce the risks of gambling harm by limiting the time patrons can spend playing gaming machines. Ignoring these laws is not just irresponsible, it’s illegal.”

Under the Gaming Machines Act 2001 (NSW), venues cannot allow patrons to use gaming machines during designated shutdown periods.

L&GNSW conducts regular compliance checks to ensure that pubs and clubs adhere to regulations regarding gaming machine shutdown periods.

In November 2024, inspectors visited 138 venues across 61 local government areas in both metropolitan and regional NSW. The operation resulted in one penalty notice and three official cautions being issued to non-compliant venues.

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With more inspections planned for the coming months, L&GNSW is committed to holding venues accountable and minimising gambling harm.

EQL Games has officially secured a GCGRA Gaming-Related Vendor license in the UAE. The license will allow EQL Games to offer a suite of high-end gaming products in the UAE on any regulated gaming platform with a focus on lottery.

The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) is an independent executive entity within the UAE Federal Government, established by Federal Law by Decree. The Authority holds exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license and supervise all commercial gaming activities and facilities in the UAE.

“Securing this license marks a significant step for EQL Games as we continue our mission to bring innovative, secure, and responsible lottery solutions to markets worldwide. We are honored to be recognized by the UAE’s regulatory authorities and look forward to supporting their vision for a well-regulated digital lottery experience,” said Brad Cummings, CEO and Founder of EQL Games.

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This achievement aligns with EQL Games’ broader strategy of expanding its footprint in worldwide markets while maintaining a strong focus on responsible gaming and compliance. EQL’s licensing in the UAE is a testament to its ability to meet the highest industry standards and operate within the most rigorous regulatory frameworks.