Explanatory note
This explanatory note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament.

Overview of Bill

The object of this Bill is to amend the Casino Control Act 1992 as follows:

(a) to extend the casino licence review period from 3 to 5 years,

(b) to extend the period that casino employee licences remain in force from 3 to
5 years,

(c) to require the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority (the Authority)
to publish on its website, rather than in the Gazette, orders approving the
games that may be played in the casino and the rules for those games,

(d) to make other miscellaneous amendments of a minor or consequential nature.

Outline of provisions

Clause 1 sets out the name (also called the short title) of the proposed Act.

Clause 2 provides for the commencement of the proposed Act on the date of assent
to the proposed Act.

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Casino Control Amendment Bill 2009
Explanatory note
Schedule 1 Amendment of Casino Control Act 1992
No 15
Schedule 1 [1] makes it clear that the definition of chips covers not only tokens in a
physical form but also tokens that are depicted in an electronic form.

Schedule 1 [2] and [3] provide that the Authority is not to redefine the boundaries
of the casino on its own initiative without giving the casino operator at least 14 days’
notice and the opportunity to make submissions on the proposed change.

Schedule 1 [4] provides that the review by the Authority as to the casino operator’s
suitability, and whether it is in the public interest for the casino licence to continue,
is to be conducted every 5 years instead of every 3 years.

Schedule 1 [5] provides that a person who is employed in the casino to operate,
maintain, construct or repair gaming equipment is required to be licensed as a special
employee under the Act only if the gaming equipment that the person is working on
is gaming equipment approved by the Authority.

Schedule 1 [6] extends (from 3 to 5 years) the period for which casino employee
licences remain in force.

Schedule 1 [7] extends (from 7 to 14 days) the period in which the casino operator
is required to notify the Authority when licensed employees start or cease to exercise
functions in the casino.

Schedule 1 [8] provides that the plans, diagrams and specifications that the Authority
may approve in relation to the layout of the casino no longer need to specifically
indicate the manner in which closed circuit television systems operate in the casino
or the position or description of catwalk surveillance systems in the casino.

Schedule 1 [9] enables the casino operator to apply to the Authority for the Authority
to amend its approval of the casino’s layout.

Schedule 1 [10] provides that any order by the Authority approving the games that
may be played in the casino (and the rules for those games) must be published on the
Authority’s website rather than in the Gazette (as is currently the case).

Schedule 1 [11] provides that summaries of the rules of games played in the casino
can be provided to casino patrons by the casino operator in a form other than by way
of a brochure.

Schedule 1 [12] provides that cheques accepted by the casino operator from overseas
accounts must be banked by the casino operator within 30 days (rather than 20 days)
after they are accepted.

Schedule 1 [13] increases the penalty, from 10 to 20 penalty units, for offences
relating to minors entering the casino or using false evidence of age in order to enter
the casino.

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Casino Control Amendment Bill 2009
Explanatory note
Schedule 1 [14] removes a provision specifying the content of the system of internal
controls and administrative and accounting procedures for the casino that is approved
by the Authority.

Schedule 1 [15] modifies the existing requirements relating to the casino operator’s
banking arrangements. Rather than requiring the casino operator to hold accounts, as
approved by the Authority, at a bank in New South Wales in relation to its casino
operations, the proposed amendment will require the casino operator to provide the
Authority with the details of its bank accounts (including those kept outside
Australia) in relation to its casino operations. The requirement for the casino operator
to provide the Authority with access to those accounts is retained. Schedule 1 [16] is
a consequential amendment.

Schedule 1 [17] provides that the Authority does not have the function of directly
supervising the operations of the casino or the conduct of gaming in the casino.

Schedule 1 [18] enables regulations of a savings or transitional nature to be made as
a consequence of the proposed Act.

Schedule 1 [19] inserts savings and transitional provisions as a consequence of the
proposed Act.

Note: If this Bill is not modified, these Explanatory Notes would reflect the Bill as passed in the House. If the Bill has been amended by Committee, these Explanatory Notes may not necessarily reflect the Bill as passed.

 

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