Gaming machine and other equipment manufacturers and suppliers selling products and or services used for gaming related activities in Australia are required to hold a relevant license. Gaming machine manufacturers or suppliers of gaming machines require approval if they intend to create a new gaming machine type or game. Approval will also be required if they intend to vary an existing approved gaming machine type or game.
Gaming machine manufacturers and suppliers have need to navigate the complexities of public policy, regulations and compliance and other operational challenges. Insights and expertise gained from decades of industry experience means our team are able to guide your business through various legal and regulatory frameworks.
Gaming machines in Australia are offered in casinos, hotels and clubs. In relation to hotels and clubs, a venue requires both a gaming venue Licence and also a permit/Licence for each gaming machine a venue operates. The only exception to this is in relation to a casino operator Licence, which typically includes permission to operate gaming machines within the casino premises. The casino operator Licence in NSW, issued for the Barangaroo casino, does not include permission to operate gaming machines and that the NSW government has granted exclusivity to operate gaming machines to the other major NSW casino licensee, The Star, until 2041. Gaming machines in WA can only be offered in a casino.
Licence applications are generally assessed against the requirements of the Gaming Machine Act 1991 and the relevant regulator determines whether or not to grant a licence, taking into account the social and community impacts of gaming.
Our team comprises Principal Julian Hoskins who is ranked in Chambers & Partners Global and Asia Pacific as a leading expert in gambling law and regulation and Paul Newson, former NSW Office of Liquor and Gaming regulator.
Our clients rely on our advice to help them make the right strategic and commercial decisions in Australia’s complex and changing legal, regulatory and political environment. We believe it is paramount to understand our clients’ aspirations in order to provide a coherent analysis and pragmatic advice. Our gambling lawyers have expert understanding of gaming machines and understand the issues relevant to gaming machine manufacturers and frequently advise on new or varied product offerings, agreements including software agreements, e-commerce contracts, security arrangements (including Personal Property Securities), payment processing, gaming machine agreements, white label agreements and privacy and responsible gaming and harm minimisation product design advice.
To make sense of the complex regulations and licensing, Senet provide services to gaming manufacturers and gaming software developers throughout Australia. With some of the highest regarded gaming machine lawyers Senet can help you navigate your legal and regulatory obligations.
Other sectors we advise include racing, bookmakers, casinos, government and regulators encompassing legal, advisory and gambling compliance training services. To meet your legal and regulatory obligations, partner with the Australian experts in gambling and gaming at Senet. Through the Senet Compliance Academy we provide a full spectrum of gaming compliance training courses to ensure that all staff and venue operators are complying with its legal and regulatory obligations. Contact us to find out more.