Responsible Gambling - Training Requirements

Gaming Training Requirements

Mandatory gaming training is required under the Responsible Gambling Code of Practice and by condition (w) of the Attachment B conditions to all gaming machine licences. Two areas of training are required:

Responsible Gambling
Operation of Machines

The training requirements apply to:

approved gaming machine employees;
approved gaming machine managers; and
licensees, directors and committee members.

A licensee, director or committee member (but not an approved gaming machine manager) who does not actively supervise or manage the business conducted under the gaming machine licence, or carry out prescribed duties, may apply to the Commissioner for an exemption from the training requirement.

Training is not a prerequisite to obtaining approval under the Gaming Machines Act 1992. All newly approved staff must complete the required training within 6 months of approval.

Responsible Gambling Training

Clause 10 of the Responsible Gambling Code of Practice details the complete requirements for responsible gambling training. The code provides scope for the licensee to use external training providers, such as TAFEs, or to develop and use their own training programs.

External Training Providers

Where an external training provider is used, the training provider must be appropriately accredited in a manner acceptable to the Independent Gambling Authority. Registered Training Organisations recognised by the Authority are listed in the information sheet below. These RTOs conduct the course in line with the national competency standards. The recognised competency unit is:

SITHGAM006A - Provide Responsible Gambling Services

Licensee Developed Training Programs

The Responsible Gambling Code of Practice allows licensees to develop and conduct their own training program for responsible gambling training, however there are a number of additional requirements that must be met. A training program developed by the licensee must incorporate the areas set out under clause 10(3) of the code. The program is required to be regularly reviewed and revised and to be annually audited for compliance with the code. The audit report is required to be provided to the Independent Gambling Authority.

Should you wish to proceed with this path it is recommended that you seek further details from the Independent Gambling Authority.

Responsible Gambling Refresher Courses

Licensees must ensure that staff are regularly kept up to date on responsible gambling initiatives and information.

In-house Refresher Training

If a licensee is a member of the Australian Hotels Association or ClubsSA, or has access to on-going training and support by either of these bodies, the licensee can conduct regular in-house training with staff to communicate the information provided by these bodies.

Formal Refresher Courses

If a licensee does not have access to on-going training and support by these two bodies, the licensee must provide formal refresher courses for all staff at least every 2 years. A formal refresher course is one provided by either an external training provider or a licensee developed training program (as described above).

Operation of Machines Training

The Commissioner requires that operation of machines training must be conducted by a Registered Training Organisation which conducts the course in line with the national competency standard. The recognised competency unit is:

SITHGAM001A - Attend Gaming Machines

In-house training for operation of machines is not accepted.

Registered Training Organisations recognised by the Commissioner are listed in the information sheet below.

Refresher courses for operation of machines training are not required.

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)

Registered Training Organisations

Who is responsible for ensuring that the requirements are met?

The licensee of the venue is responsible for ensuring that staff meet the training requirements. If a person is approved at more than one venue, the licensees of all venues are responsible.

An individual's approval as a gaming machine manager or gaming machine employee WILL NOT be revoked if the requirements have not been met. Disciplinary action may be taken against the licensee in the event that the requirements are not met.

Who is responsible for payment of courses?

While the licensee is responsible for ensuring all staff meet the requirements, payment for the courses is a matter between the licensee and the individual person involved.

Does a person have to be approved before he or she can undertake the courses?

The courses are not a prerequisite to obtaining approval as a gaming machine manager or gaming machine employee. Any person may undertake the courses prior to seeking approval.

Exemptions for Non-Operational Committee Members or Directors

If a licensee can demonstrate that an approved licensee, director or committee member does not actively supervise or manage the business conducted under the gaming machine licence, or carry out prescribed duties, the licensee may apply to the Commissioner to exempt that person from the training requirements.

(See Information Sheet - Gaming Training Requirements)

Checking for Compliance - Inspections

Licensees are not required to send in copies of certificates to this Office.

To determine whether a licensee has met the requirements, Liquor and Gambling Inspectors will check for course certificates as part of a routine inspection program.

It is a condition of all gaming machine licences that licensees maintain for each approved person at the premises, a certificate or other document provided by an RTO which verifies that the person has successfully completed each course.

These documents must be kept in a folder in the gaming room. If there is no secure place in the gaming room for the folder to be kept, then at a location close to the gaming room. For ease of checking, certificates should be in alphabetical order.

This documentation must be readily available to an inspector.

Information Sheet

The above requirements are summarised in the attached information sheet.

Download - Information Sheet - Gaming Training Requirements.pdf file size 32.5 KB