NSW Betting Regulator Says Licensed Operators Are Failing To Meet The Basic Responsible Gambling Training Standards

According to L&GNSW, some operators let new employees work for months without completing mandatory training, while others couldn’t prove that their staff had done the required refresher courses.

Every betting business licensed in NSW must make sure all staff complete responsible gambling training and keep up with yearly updates. But the regulator says that hasn’t been happening as it should. In its report, the regulator called the findings “disappointing” and warned that it will take action against companies that continue to fall behind.

The fines can reach A$11,000 for individuals and up to A$110,000 for companies that ignore their obligations. The responsible gambling training is meant to help staff spot risky behaviour in players, like chasing losses, gambling for long periods, or showing signs of distress. It also covers how to handle those cases and provide support.

Regulators say that compliance with these rules isn’t optional, and it’s one of the simplest but most important rules that locally licensed betting operators must follow.

Interestingly, some offshore betting platforms appear better prepared in areas like responsible gambling training and customer protection tools than a few locally licensed venues, which is a sign that Australia’s own compliance systems might need tightening.

This is far from an isolated NSW issue. Regulators across the country have been stepping up checks on betting companies in recent months. There have been multiple cases where operators were caught breaching advertising rules or failing to act on self-exclusion requests.

Even though the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC) licenses most major betting sites operating in Australia, state regulators like L&GNSW still have the power to enforce responsible gambling standards within their own borders.

That shared oversight can be messy, but it also means state bodies can step in when national regulators move too slowly or lack the resources to act.

People within the industry say the current rules are confusing, especially when operators hold one licence but serve customers nationwide. Some claim that the different state systems make it difficult to stay fully compliant everywhere.

Still, the L&GNSW has rejected those excuses and says that the rules are clear and that betting companies have had plenty of time to get their house in order. The regulator still hasn’t announced any penalties, but confirmed that several investigations are ongoing and that “further enforcement action” is possible.

This might sound like an internal issue between the regulator and betting companies, but it affects players. If staff at betting venues or online operators aren’t properly trained, there’s less chance anyone will spot when a player is in trouble.

With billions spent on betting each year in Australia, responsible gambling isn’t something that can be treated as a formality. Yet when local operators are caught missing even the most basic training requirements, it raises an uncomfortable question: are regulators doing enough, or are the rules being enforced unevenly?

It’s ironic because many offshore betting sites that Australian authorities warn players against often seem better prepared in terms of staff training, player tools, and platform safety. That highlights how uneven the standards have become.

The L&GNSW says it will keep checking operators throughout 2025 and work with the industry to close the compliance gaps. The regulator insists this isn’t about punishment, but about making sure staff actually understand how to recognise problem gambling and step in when needed.

However, it’s not just about ticking a compliance box, but about whether the industry genuinely cares about keeping players safe.