The hotel industry is aware of how serious an issue problem gambling is in SA. The AHA (SA) is committed to addressing and reducing the level of problem gambling and has introduced a number of initiatives designed to help these processes.

One of the most important mechanisms to support hotels in minimising levels of gambling-related harm was the introduction of the Responsible Gambling Code of Practice and the Advertising Code of Practice. SA hotels were the first hotels in Australia to establish a voluntary code of practice in this area and with the total support of the industry, the Responsible Gambling Code of Practice became law in 2001.

The Codes provide a list of guidelines that the holder of a gaming machine licence must comply with to ensure that the gambling activities that take place on their premises are conducted in a responsible manner to help minimise the harm caused by gambling.

To obtain a copy of the Responsible Gambling Code of Practice, click here.

To obtain a copy of the Advertising Code of Practice, click here.

In 2004, the AHA (SA) created a new position within the Association of Responsible Gambling Officer. The primary role of the officer was to manage the AHA (SA)’s responsible gambling strategies. The officer's responsibilities included:

• Active liaison with the welfare sector and venues concerning barring and other early intervention strategies;
• Venue compliance audits; and
• Oversee and accredit all training for gaming room management and staff. 

In 2005, the AHA (SA)'s inaugural Responsible Gambling Officer, Rhonda Turley, became the first Executive Officer of Gaming Care, the Hotels Responsible Gambling Early Intervention Agency. When launched, this ground-breaking scheme was thought to be the first of its type in Australian hotels. For more information about Gaming Care, click here.

There are several other measures that have been introduced into SA hotels to combat problem gambling. They include:

• In consultation with the State Government, the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund (GRF) was established in 1993, and the Break Even counselling services;
• The gaming industry voluntarily contributes $1.5 million annually to the GRF;
• SA hotels were the first in Australia to voluntarily fund gambling counselling services;
• The hotel industry established “Smartplay” – a booklet located in gaming rooms for customers in order to provide information about gaming machines, encouraging customers to gamble responsibly, and to provide information for customers with a gambling problem;
• SA hotels were the first hotels in Australia to establish a voluntary gaming code of practice;
• With the total support of the hotel industry, the Code of Practice became law in 2001;
• All staff trained in responsible gambling;
• No cashing of cheques in gaming rooms;
• Introduction of educational school-based programs highlighting the risks of excessive gambling;
• No playing more than one machine at a time;
• No alcohol served to customers while seated at or playing gaming machines; and
• The appointment of an AHA (SA) Responsible Gambling Officer.

Also, the law in SA stipulates:

• No access to cash withdrawals on credit accounts in Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) located in hotels with gaming machines;
• Restrictions on cash withdrawal limits on savings accounts from ATMs located in hotels with gaming machines; and
• Note acceptors on gaming machines banned.