Gambling Harm Awareness Week (GHAW)

The annual GHAW (formerly Responsible Gambling Awareness Week) will begin on 18 July 2022. Licensees in the Brisbane area are invited to the launch at Kedron Wavell Services Club from 9.30am on Monday 18 July. This is a free event and you can register your attendance using this form.

More information about GHAW, including promotional material and free printed resources in multiple languages, is available from the OLGR website.

Free Gaming Training

Licensees must engage in responsible gaming strategies and the Commissioner for Liquor & Gaming has made it clear that gaming compliance is a focus of OLGR. Many gaming licences contain specific conditions regarding training, but even if your licence does not include such a condition ongoing responsible gaming training and your relationship with gambling support organisations will be assessed as part of the gaming audits regularly conducted by OLGR. With this in mind, we recommend all licensees consider taking advantage of free training provided by Relationships Australia Queensland to help licensees and employees identify people with a poor relationship to gambling. Topics covered in this training include:

• Gambling Help Service – What it Is and How it Can Help.
• Identifying Behaviours and Signs of Problem Gambling
• Increased Risk for Gambling Venue Staff – Risks and Protective Factors
• How to Help the Family Members and Support Persons of a Problem Gambler
• Available Resources to Assist Staff.

The training is aimed at venue staff, management and board members and is at the following locations:

• 27 July – Jindalee Tavern
• 1 August – Wynnum Manly Leagues Club
• 16 August – Carina Leagues Club
• 23 August – QHA House, Level 2/160 Edward Street, Brisbane

Each session is 90 minutes long, multiple staff from each venue can attend, and all attendees will receive a certificate of completion.

Register your attendance using this form.

If you are not in the Brisbane region and would like more information about training in your area, please contact our office.

Recent amendments to the Liquor Act allow holders of subsidiary on-premises (meals) licences to apply for a permanent approval to sell takeaway wine. The approvals are likely to become valid in late January when the amendments come into force. The latest information from OLGR is that the current takeaway liquor authorities are due to expire on 28 February, with no plans for an extension beyond that date. Therefore, if you wish to continue to sell takeaway wine you must have that condition endorsed on your licence.

The Office of Liquor & Gaming Regulation sent information to licensees inviting them to make an application. Feedback we have received tells us there is some confusion regarding what is required to support the application. We are providing the information below to make it easier for licensees.

Who can apply?

Anyone who is the holder of a subsidiary on-premises (meals) licence.

How can I make an application?

You must complete ‘Form 19 – Application for a permanent variation of a licence’. This is a generic form and many of the fields are not applicable for this type of application. To avoid confusion we have provided a copy of the form with those fields clearly marked (available for download here). We have also pre-filled the details for the variation, meaning licensees need only add licensed premises details, contact, etc.

Is there an application fee?

If you had a subsidiary on-premises (meals) licence before the amendments come into force, there is no fee for this type of application until 30 June 2022. It is not yet clear what fee will be payable after this date or for new licensees.

How do I submit my application?

You must send the completed form 9 to the Customer Service Team at OLGRlicensing@justice.qld.gov.au. We recommend including the following text in your email message.

Dear CST

Please see attached application(s) for the endorsement of a condition permitting the sale of wine for consumption off the licensed premises with takeaway meals.

It is our understanding that:

• No application fees are payable for these application(s);
• There is no requirement for a community impact statement;
• There is no requirement for the application(s) to be advertised for objections;
• The endorsement of this condition on a licence does not trigger the requirement for a RAMP.

If this is incorrect, or if other information is required, please contact us on <insert telephone number>.

We hope the above information makes it easier for licensees to apply. If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call our office.

We regularly receive enquiries from schools, clubs and other community organisations wanting to sell liquor at a fete or similar fundraising event. In Queensland, to allow the lawful sale or supply of liquor under these circumstances, you may need to obtain a Community Liquor Permit from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation. This article describes who can apply for a permit; what needs to accompany the application; and when liquor can be sold at a fundraising event without obtaining a permit.

Who is eligible for a Community Liquor Permit?

Before the 2008 amendments to the Liquor Act, the Community Liquor Permit was known as a General Purpose Permit. Under the Liquor Act 1912 it was known as a Booth Permit or Ball Permit. Although the names have changed, the conditions of eligibility are largely the same.

• A Community Liquor Permit will only be issued to a non-proprietary club, or another organisation or individual, provided the proceeds from the sale or supply of liquor are for the benefit of the community.
• A permit is valid for the area and duration specified on the permit.
• A permit can be issued for one or several days, consecutive or otherwise.
• All of the usual regulations apply regarding minors, responsible service of alcohol, intoxication and disorderly conduct.

How does an eligible applicant obtain a Community Liquor Permit?

To obtain a Community Liquor Permit you must complete an online application, or submit a completed application form to OLGR, at least 21 days before the event. In addition to the application fee of $74.20 per day (2021-22), some or all of the following may be required:

• If you wish to supply liquor between midnight and 10am –  endorsement from the local police.
• If the event is to be held in a public place – permission from the local government authority.
• If the event is considered ‘high risk’ – an event management plan must be completed and provided to OLGR or police when requested before, during or after the event. An event is considered high risk if any of the following apply:
  • on any day attendance is estimated to exceed 2,000 persons;
  • on any day patrons consuming liquor is estimated to exceed 1,000 persons;
  • there is a request to supply liquor between midnight and 10am;
  • the planned consumption area will exceed 400m².

Can someone sell liquor at a fundraising event without a Community Liquor Permit?

Under certain circumstances, a non-profit organisation can sell or supply liquor at a fundraising event without a Community Liquor Permit. There are specific exemptions available only to organisers of small regional shows, whilst other event organisers can assess their eligibility using the questionnaire included in the online application and in the event management plan. Relevant factors include:

• Whether the applicant, organisation or its executive officers have been the subject of any disciplinary action under the Liquor Act 1992;
• The location, frequency, duration and timing of the event;
• The nature of the event.

If you are planning a fundraising event where the proceeds will benefit the community, please visit the online application page to assess your eligibility. You may also find our article on working with licensees on fundraising to be helpful.