Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) - Everything You Need To Know

NSW has over 12,000 licensed venues and many of these have gaming machines in them. If you apply for a job at one of these venues (or work at them), it’s a requirement that you hold a Responsible Conduct of Gambling Certificate.

Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) – What is it?

For many punters, gambling is part of their downtime – a legitimate part of their leisure and recreation activities. Whilst most people enjoy gambling in a responsible manner and have fun enjoying gambling as a form of entertainment, for some it’s a cause of problems for themselves and for their families.

The Gaming Machines Act was developed by the State Government to help with problem gambling by fostering an attitude of responsible gaming within the industry. By introducing RCG policies the government hopes to create an environment, not only for hospitality staff, but for patrons to enjoy responsible gambling in pubs, clubs, casinos and other venues in NSW.

Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) Course

A Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) Course is a one-day intensive course designed to educate proposed hoteliers, secretary managers and staff who will be working with gaming machine related functions within a hospitality environment. By attaining a Responsible Conduct of Gambling Certificate you will gain extensive insight into the gambling harm minimisation framework operating in NSW.

What can I expect to gain from this course?

All students including experienced hoteliers, secretary managers and operations gaming staff will gain knowledge into the gambling harm minimisation framework that’s in operation in NSW.

Additional to this, students will be able to put the responsible gambling strategies learnt in this course into practice at their respective workplace.

Outline of RCG Training Course

When you go to an RCG training course you can expect to learn the following things about the NSW machine gambling industry:-

• The indicators and impact of problem gambling;
• The gambling harm minimisation framework;
• Strategies for implementing responsible gambling practices; and
• The benefits of implementing responsible gambling practices.

Students must successfully complete an assessment at the end of the course to obtain a
course certificate.

Additional information about the course

Key Focus Areas, Objectives and Strategies for the Implementation of the Responsible Conduct of Gambling Reforms

Public Awareness, Education and Training
To promote a greater understanding of the nature of the gambling product, the potential for harm and the availability of help and support.

• Build community awareness of problem gambling issues and services.
• Ensure that education and awareness campaigns are cognisant of the various populations within the community.
• Ensure gamblers have access to consumer information about the nature of gambling products, for example on the chances of winning major prizes.
• Raise awareness of health and social welfare professionals, about the benefits of early identification of problem gambling.
• Ensure that relevant gambling industry personnel receive appropriate training in the responsible conduct of gambling.
• Ensure the availability of treatment and support services and venue-based services such as exclusions are well publicised and promoted.

Responsible Gambling Environments
To minimise the likelihood of recreational gamblers developing problem gambling behaviours.

• Consider any impacts on the community when assessing major expansions of gambling opportunities or the introduction of significant new gambling opportunities.
• Further develop and implement Codes of Practice and/or regulatory frameworks to promote responsible practices by operators, and informed decision-making by consumers.
• Encourage availability of appropriate venue-based interventions for gamblers.
• Further develop and implement Codes of Practice and/or regulatory frameworks that ensure advertising and promotions do not encourage problem gambling.
• Develop strategies to enable gamblers to limit their expenditure or time spent gambling, for example through pre-commitment measures and appropriate controls over financial transactions.

Intervention, Counselling and Support Services
To enhance problem gambling support and treatment services that are effective, accessible and culturally appropriate.

• Maintain a problem gambling support and treatment system, which is available generally, including across regional, rural and remote locations.
• Ensure services are effective for culturally and linguistically diverse populations and Indigenous people.
• Introduce standardised problem gambling assessment tools for use by counsellors and community workers.
• Ensure counsellors and community workers in problem gambling services have appropriate training.
• Develop national standards for problem gambling treatment and support services.