4 COMMON COMPLIANCE PITFALLS

Through our extensive experience working with gaming venues, we’ve identified four common Compliance mistakes that can have significant consequences:

1. Failing to properly encode a casual pre-commitment YourPlay card: Venues often neglect to adequately teach their staff this tool, which is crucial for promoting responsible gambling. Proper encoding ensures that customers can set limits and play responsibly.
2. Struggling to effectively communicate with customers about responsible gambling habits: Clear, empathetic, and informative conversations with patrons about their gambling habits are essential. Many venues find it challenging to train staff to handle these sensitive interactions appropriately.
3. Failure to maintain a responsible gambling register: Venues sometimes overlook the importance of maintaining and updating their responsible gambling register, a fundamental tool for tracking patrons who have requested support, as well as staff efforts to provide responsible gambling support.
4. Failure to ensure a dedicated Responsible Gambling Officer (RGO) is present within the green line at all times: This is a common oversight in smaller gaming venues, where only one staff member may be assigned to the gaming area. Venues often neglect to guarantee that an RGO remains within the green line for the entirety of their shift.

Compliance shortfalls can result in serious repercussions, including warnings, breaches and potential fines imposed by the Victorian Gambling Casino and Control Commission (VGCCC).

 

Steps to Strengthen Compliance

To support venues in avoiding these pitfalls and enhancing their overall compliance strategy, we recommend adopting the following seven critical practices:

1. Conduct regular staff meetings: Ensuring that all team members are aligned with the latest compliance objectives is crucial. These meetings can serve as a forum to discuss updates, address concerns, and ensure that everyone understands their role in maintaining a compliant environment.
2. Hold periodic consultations with your venue support worker: A venue support worker provides expert advice and can help interpret new regulations, troubleshoot compliance issues, and offer tailored guidance on maintaining best practices.
3. Develop a clear and concise compliance checklist: A well-organised checklist simplifies the process of following compliance protocols, making it easier for staff to ensure that nothing is overlooked. This practical tool helps transform a daunting task into manageable steps.
4. Foster a culture of responsibility through written policies: Employees should have easy access to written policies that outline their compliance duties. By creating clear, concise documentation, you make it simpler for staff to understand their responsibilities, which promotes consistent behaviour across the team.
5. Appoint a dedicated compliance officer: This individual will oversee all regulatory obligations, ensuring that your venue remains compliant at all times. A dedicated officer can coordinate staff training, manage the responsible gambling register, and act as the go-to person for compliance queries.
6. Engage Onyx Gaming’s Compliance services: Partnering with Onyx Gaming allows venues to benefit from expert insights and remain up to date with evolving laws. Our services are designed to provide venues with peace of mind, knowing that their compliance practices meet and exceed industry standards.
7. Onyx Gaming Compliance in-house checks and balances: Routine internal audits and spot checks can be invaluable. By regularly reviewing your operations against regulatory requirements, you can catch potential issues before they become costly mistakes.

 

The Value of Proactive Compliance

By integrating these recommendations into daily operations, venues can simplify their compliance processes and enable their staff to stay on top of regulatory requirements. With Onyx Gaming’s comprehensive support, you will not only ensure compliance but foster a culture of responsibility and care that resonates with patrons. Ensuring your venue adheres to the highest regulatory standards is not just about avoiding penalties—it’s about building a trusted brand that prioritises the well-being of its customers.

Introducing Onyx Gaming New Compliance Program

Onyx Gaming’s compliance program is designed to empower gaming venues with the most current resources, tools, and industry insights. This proactive approach ensures that venues stay not just compliant, but ahead of the curve when it comes to regulatory standards. With ever-changing regulations in the gaming industry, it’s vital for venues to remain diligent, and Onyx Gaming provides the foundation for success by keeping compliance at the forefront of their operational strategies.

 

For any queries or to engage Onyx Gaming Compliance services, please contact:

Liz Mackintosh
Compliance Officer

0492 266 251

  Article written by Andrea Karailis