responsible service april 2011 - Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing

Responsible service 

Executive Director’s message 

I welcome the Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Local Government and Special 

Minister of State, the Honourable Paul Lucas MP as the new Minister responsible for liquor 

and gaming regulation in Queensland. 

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) is now part of the Department of 

Justice and Attorney-General, following the Machinery of Government changes in February 

2011. The change in department will not alter the services provided by OLGR to the liquor 

and gaming industries and wider community. Our commitment to servicing, supporting and 

improving the industry remains just as strong as ever. We still seek ways to improve the 

industry and to direct it towards safety. 

April is a very important month to note on the calendar for liquor licensees and gaming 

nominees. Both Good Friday and Anzac Day fall in April and on both these days there are 

mandated changes to liquor and gaming trading hours. There have been issues with 

compliance in the past so we’ve included a quick-reference table in this edition. For full 

details check the fact sheets ‘Easter trading hours’ and ‘Anzac Day trading conditions’. 

These can be located via the ‘Publications and forms’ search in the Publications and 

resources section of the OLGR website. 

In March, we participated in the Hospitality and Gaming Australasia Expo held at the 

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Our stall was staffed by experienced OLGR 

officers who answered a range of queries and provided insight on the regulatory aspect of 

the liquor and gaming industry. 

This event is an important part of OLGR’s business, providing direct communication with the 

industry and allows us to keep our finger on the pulse of this dynamic environment. 

Thank you to the expo co-ordinators for another successful event. It provides a great 

opportunity for all stakeholders in the liquor and gaming industries to be fully informed about 

industry issues. 

Mike Sarquis 

Executive Director 

Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation 

Funding grants available for liquor accords 

On 1 April, OLGR opened applications for a one-off funding assistance program for eligible 

liquor accords. Under the program, grants up to a maximum of $5,000 will be made available 

to successful applicants. 

This program is part of the Queensland Government’s strategy to strengthen liquor accords 

in Queensland. The objective of the program is to help fund projects that will reduce violence 

in and around licensed premises. 

Page 1 of 5 

April 2011 edition


As a guide, a non-exhaustive list of harm minimisation initiatives that may be considered 

favourably are: 

• education programs, for example, “Think the Drink” education sessions for school 

leavers 

• signage, posters or brochures to raise awareness of an individual’s rights and 

responsibilities in relation to alcohol consumption 

• designated driver programs 

• measures to improve precinct safety, for example, extra lighting around CBD and/or 

licensed premises. 

Application kits are available on the OLGR website at www.olgr.qld.gov.au. Applications 

close 29 April 2011. 

For further information, please contact: 

Email: liquoraccords@olgr.qld.gov.au 

Phone: (07) 3872 0881. 

Timely reminder on restricted trading hours 

As a Queensland licensee, are you aware there are restricted trading hours for Good Friday 

(Friday 22 April) and Anzac Day (Monday 25 April)? 

Date 

Thursday 

21 April 2011 

Friday 


Saturday 


Sunday 


Monday 


Tuesday 


Trading conditions 

On the Thursday before Good Friday, licensed premises are only permitted 

to serve alcohol until midnight, even if they normally stay open longer. 

While the bar must finish serving at this time, patrons have until 12.30am to 

finish drinks and leave the premises. Gaming machines are not permitted to 

operate after midnight. 

On Good Friday, licensed premises can open from 10am. However, alcohol 

can only be served with a meal prepared on the premises and eaten in an 

area of the premises ordinarily set aside for dining. Patrons can consume 

alcohol for one hour before dining, while they are dining and up to one hour 

after dining. Gaming machines are not permitted to operate at all on Good 

Friday. 

Normal trading conditions. 

All licensed premises are only permitted to trade until midnight on the 

Sunday before Anzac Day, even if they normally stay open longer. While 

service from the bar must finish at midnight, patrons will have until 12.30am 

to finish drinks and leave the premises. Gaming machines are not permitted 

to operate after midnight. 

Gaming machines are not permitted to operate between midnight Sunday 

24 April and 1pm on Anzac Day, Monday 25 April 2010. Liquor trading 

restrictions will apply depending on the classification of the particular 

licensed premises. For further information, please contact 

OLGR on 13 QGOV (13 74 68). 

Normal trading conditions. 

On ANZAC Day, licensees must not serve alcohol before 1pm unless it is in conjunction with 

a meal in an area normally set aside for dining, in which case trading may begin at 10am. 




The sale of takeaway liquor and the operation of gaming machines are not permitted prior to 

1pm on ANZAC Day. 

Licensed RSL and Services Clubs are permitted to trade from 5am as part of their ordinary 

trading hours on ANZAC Day to recognise and support dawn services. No application is 

required to facilitate this. 

All other licence holders may apply for an Extended Hours Permit (XHP) to trade from 5am 

to 1pm on ANZAC Day if the licensee has entered into an agreement with an RSL or 

Services Club to sell liquor on behalf of the club at an ANZAC Day event being held at the 

premises. An application for an XHP is required in these circumstances however there is no 

application fee and the necessity of meals is removed if this agreement is in place. Evidence 

of the agreement with the RSL or Services Club must be lodged with the application. 

While most licensees adhered to the altered trading conditions over Christmas and New 

Year, it was disappointing to find a number of licensed premises trading unlawfully. With 

Good Friday and Anzac Day rapidly approaching, now is a good time to ensure you comply 

with the licensing conditions. 

During these holiday periods, police and OLGR officers will be checking licensed premises 

to ensure licensees adhere to restricted trading hours as required under the Liquor Act 1992. 

Any licensee found in breach of trading hours may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000. 

Responsible Service of Gambling training cut-off date nearing 

The cut-off date for certain gaming staff to obtain their Responsible Service of Gambling 

(RSG) training certificate is fast approaching. 

You must complete your RSG training with an OLGR-approved trainer before 1 July 2011 if, 

immediately before 1 October 2010, you were: 

• an eligible licensee 

• a gaming nominee 

• employed to carry out gaming duties 

• employed to carry out gaming tasks. 

However, you will be exempt from this deadline if you are successful in applying for OLGR 

recognition of national RSG certification. The RSG application to recognise national 

accreditation (Form 80) is available on our website. Your application must be received by 

OLGR before 30 April 2011. 

People approved as eligible licensees or gaming nominees after 1 October 2010 have three 

months from their approval to complete the OLGR-approved RSG course. 

All staff employed to perform gaming duties or gaming tasks after 1 October 2010 also have 

three months from when they are employed to complete the OLGR-approved RSG course. 

To search for an approved trainer, go to Industry training on our website. 




Responsible Service of Gambling recognition deadline imminent 

If your previous completion of the national Responsible Service of Gambling (RSG) course is 

to be recognised your RSG Application to recognise national accreditation must be received 

by OLGR before 30 April 2011. 

To be eligible to apply for recognition, you must: 

• have performed any of the prescribed gaming tasks or gaming duties immediately before 

1 October 2010 and 

• include a copy of your statement of attainment for the national competency in ‘Provide 

responsible gambling services’ (THHADG03B or SITHGAM006A) achieved between 1 

October 2009 and 1 October 2010. 

If your application seeking recognition of the national course is successful, you will have until 

1 July 2013 to complete the OLGR-approved RSG course. 

Staff employed to perform gaming duties or gaming tasks before 1 October 2010 who do not 

meet the requirements for recognition of the national course, must complete the OLGRapproved 

RSG course by 1 July 2011. 

For further information, or to download an application form, go to Industry training on our 

website. 

Approved manager—an important role 

An approved manager is responsible for ensuring that liquor is supplied or held on the 

premises, only in accordance with the authority of the licence or permit. The requirements for 

a premises to have an approved manager are outlined in Guideline 43, which is available on 

the OLGR website. 

The approved manager position became mandatory from 1 January 2009, and is one of 

significant responsibility designed to be in aide of the licensee. 

There is no limit to the number of approved managers a licensed premises can have and it’s 

a good idea to have a back up in case of staff leave. 

Previously, OLGR has considered the lodgement of an approved manager application and 

evidence of completion of the Responsible Management of a Licensed Venue (RMLV) and 

Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training courses, as fulfilling the requirement to have 

an approved manager at the premises. However, from 1 April 2011, applicants who lodge 

an approved manager application will no longer be deemed to have approved manager 

status to act in this role whilst the application is being processed. 

If you or one of your staff members is interested in becoming an approved manager, the 

approved manager application form 4 is available on our website. If the applicant has current 

RSA and RMLV certificates and holds current approval under the Gaming Machine Act 1991 

for one of the listed positions, the application can be fast-tracked, by filling out the 'fast track 

upgrade approved manager application' (Form 4A). 




Update on national gambling reform 

The Federal Government is committed to the introduction of a number of gambling reforms. 

These include: 

• implementing a best practice full pre-commitment scheme that is uniform across all 

states and territories and gaming machines, with the implementation of the precommitment 

arrangements commencing in 2012 and with a full pre-commitment scheme 

commencing in 2014 

• supporting the Productivity Commission’s recommendations in relation to gaming 

machine dynamic warning and cost of play displays, and 

• implementing a $250 daily withdrawal limit for ATMs in venues with gaming machines 

(excluding casinos). 

In February, the Federal Government ruled out the use of fingerprints or other biometric data 

in the full pre-commitment scheme for gaming machines. It also acknowledged that small 

pubs and clubs play an important role in many rural communities providing a place for 

people to get together and supporting local community and sporting groups. As a result, 

there may be a case for exempting these from some of the gambling reforms. 

The Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform has concluded its public hearings on a 

best practice pre-commitment system. It is expected to advise the Federal Government on 

the outcome of its inquiries in April or May. Transcripts of the public hearings are available 

on the Australian Parliament web site. 

A Ministerial Expert Advisory Group is expected to provide its advice to the Federal 

Government around the same time. The Advisory Group's membership includes 

representatives from: 

• problem gambling counselling and support services 

• the club/hotel and casino industries 

• the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union 

• research and academic institutions that specialise in understanding problem 

gambling behaviours and harm minimisation measures. 

The full media release is available on Minister Jenny Macklin’s website 

.

responsible service april 2011 - Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing

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