SEASONAL ALERTS
DEADLINE - Last day to advertise liquor licence applications in 2021
Saturday 11 December 2021 is the last day of the year that an applicant's liquor licence proposal can be advertised. Advertising will re-commence on 8 January 2022.
This break accounts for statutory timeframes and ensures that all interested parties have the opportunity to comment on a proposal. In addition, the Liquor and Gaming office will be closed between Christmas and the New Year.
Applying for a permit
Licensees should examine their trading needs for Christmas and New Year and, if necessary, apply for an out‑of‑hours permit or an extension of their existing out‑of‑hours permit. New or extended permit applications should be lodged ideally at least 14 days prior to the planned commencement. Event planners who will be serving liquor must also apply for a permit. Applications for permits can be found here.
We encourage you to lodge your permit applications as soon as possible to ensure they can be considered in time.
Liquor and Gaming Branch ‑ office hours over Christmas and New Year
The Branch offices will be closing for the holiday period:
- Closing: 3 pm ‑ Friday 24 December 2021
- Opening: 8.45 am ‑ Tuesday 4 January 2022
Compliance inspectors will continue to monitor activities at licensed premises around the State during the holiday period. They will also be attending public events licensed to sell alcohol.
Trading over Christmas and New Year
The Commissioner for Licensing has authorised opening hours to be extended for premises holding general, club and on licences as follows:
- Christmas Eve ‑ midnight until 2 am on Christmas Day
- New Year's Eve ‑ midnight until 3 am on New Year's Day
Please note that liquor may not be removed from the licensed premises during the extended hours. If you have an existing out‑of‑hours permit, any conditions of that permit apply to these extended hours.
Taking a holiday?
Licensees must notify the Commissioner for Licensing in writing (or by email to licensing@treasury.tas.gov.au) if they will be away from the licensed premises for more than 14 days. The written notice must specify the length of time the licensee will be away and the details of the person left in charge.
In the case of absence in an emergency, the licensee should notify the Commissioner at the earliest reasonable opportunity.
ADMINISTRATIVE ALERTS
Liquor licence annual fees 2022
In previous years, the liquor licence annual fee notice was sent via post in early January. From 2022, the notice will instead be emailed to licensees in mid-February, with payment due by 31 March 2022. The notice makes clear what fee is due by this date, as well as the fee for late payments after 31 March 2022, when a 10 per cent penalty is incurred. Annual licence fees not paid in full by the due date may also result in the suspension or cancellation of your liquor licence.
If you are no longer trading, it is advisable to surrender your liquor licence. You can do this by contacting the Liquor and Gaming Branch via email at: licensing@treasury.tas.gov.au. If you require further information about surrendering your liquor licence, please contact the Branch on 6166 4040.
If you no longer wish to be the licensee, you may apply to transfer the liquor licence to another person. Applications for the transfer of a liquor licence can be found here.
Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission 2020-21 Annual Report
The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission 2020-21 Annual Report was released in November and is available on the Liquor and Gaming website here.
REMINDER - Visitors books in licensed clubs
Conditions of a club liquor licence require a register of all visitors and guests of members be kept at the premises in the form of a Visitors Book.
Since COVID-19 contact tracing requirements were introduced, venues are required to ensure all people entering premises also register themselves for the purpose of contact tracing via the Check‑in TAS app or a manual register.
Recently, compliance inspectors have reported that a number of licensed clubs have removed their Visitors Books. The Branch would like to remind licensed clubs that they are still required to meet the record keeping conditions of their licence to use a Visitors Book, alongside the COVID-19 contract tracing requirements.
IMPORTANT UPDATE - New venue licence required for Future Gaming Market
Changes to the gaming legislation to restructure the gaming market in Tasmania were recently passed by Parliament. A new market structure will commence on 1 July 2023. The changes are significant and affect keno, electronic gaming machines, network monitoring and the community support levy.
Existing licensed premises gaming operators in hotels and clubs (including keno only operators) will need to apply for a new 'venue licence' to continue offering gaming activities. We will be in touch in early 2022, after the summer period, to let you know what you need to do to be ready on time.
We will use email, our website and this newsletter to provide updates.
Don't miss out on the latest information:
- Check your inbox for messages from the Liquor and Gaming Branch.
- Make sure we have your correct email and postal address. Contact us to confirm your information is up to date.
In the meantime, the Liquor and Gaming Branch is working behind the scenes to prepare for the new system and a very busy lead up to 1 July 2023.
NEW - Interstate retailers' direct sales licence required in SA
Interstate retailers selling liquor for delivery into South Australia are required to be licensed under South Australia's Liquor Licensing Act 1997.
Until recently, interstate retailers were required to hold a Packaged Liquor Sales Licence. From 22 October 2021, and as a cheaper alternative, a new Interstate Direct Sales Licence is available to interstate retailers who sell liquor into South Australia.
The new licence is explicitly for interstate retailers selling liquor through online, phone or mail order channels for delivery into South Australia. A streamlined application has been developed and, in recognition of existing regulatory oversight in their home state, certain existing obligations under the SA Act will not apply to the interstate retailer.
For more information about this new licence and the application process please visit sa.gov.au - Interstate direct sales licence.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Disciplinary action taken by the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission June 2021 – November 2021
| Licence holder | Section of Act | Breach | Outcome |
Australian National Hotels Pty Ltd (Wrest Point Hotel Casino) | 92(2) | Allowing customers to exceed ATM withdrawal limits at Wrest Point Casino Hotel | Fined $14 670 |
Australian National Hotels Pty Ltd (Wrest Point Hotel Casino) | 92(2) | Failing to report a matter of non‑compliance within 24 hours of it being identified | Letter of censure |
Tasmanian Country Club Casino Pty Ltd (Country Club Casino) | 92(2) | Allowing customers to exceed ATM withdrawal limits at Country Club Casino | Fined $9 780 |
Tasmanian Country Club Casino Pty Ltd (Country Club Casino) | 92(2) | Failing to report a matter of non‑compliance within 24 hours of it being identified | Letter of censure |
| UBET TAS Pty Ltd | 92(2) | Failing to comply with Responsible Conduct of Gambling qualification requirements | Fined $4 890 |
Watson Marx Pty Ltd ATF Watson Marx Family Trust (Campbell Town Hotel) | 50(2) | Using the services of a person not authorised by a special employee's licence | Letter of censure |
Watson Marx Pty Ltd ATF Watson Marx Family Trust (Campbell Town Hotel) | 92(2) | Failure to provide CCTV surveillance footage | Fined $5 160 |
| Jessica Margaret Sills | 2.3.1 | Playing keno during a shift | Fined $1 680 |
Mollie & George Pty Ltd ATF Mollie & George Family Trust (Wagon and Horse Restaurant) | 50(2) | Unlicensed person performing the functions of a special employee | Fined $1 720 |
PGH Tas Operations Pty Ltd (Foreshore Tavern) | 50(2) | Using the services of a person not authorised by a special employee's licence | Letter of censure |
KJF Enterprises Pty Ltd (Wharf Hotel) | 50(2) | Using the services of a person not authorised by a special employee's licence | Letter of censure |
Mornington Inn Pty Ltd (Mornington Inn) | 50(2) | Using the services of a person not authorised by a special employee's licence | Fined $2 580 |
Peter Harold Gray (Welcome Stranger Hotel) | 92(2) | Failure to provide CCTV surveillance footage | Fined $3 440 |
All Pro Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners Pty Ltd and D J Marshall (Kendalls Hotel Motel) | 117(1) | Allowing a minor to enter a restricted gaming area | Fined $1 720 |
Ulverstone Returned Services Club Inc. (Ulverstone Returned Servicemen's Club) | 50(2) | Using the services of a person not authorised by a special employee's licence | Fined $1 720 |
RJ'S Hospitality Enterprises Pty Ltd (RJ'S Westbury Hotel) | 50(2) | Using the services of a person not authorised by a special employee's licence | Fined $1 720 |
Tasmanian Country Club Casino Pty Ltd (Country Club Casino) | 112J(2) | Allowing a self-excluded person to participate in a game | Fined $1 720 |
Kingston Hotel (TAS) Pty Ltd (Kingston Hotel) | 50(2) | Using the services of a person not authorised by a special employee's licence | Fined $2 580 |
| Renee Margaret Clark | 2.3.1 | Playing keno during a shift | Letter of censure |
Garich Pty Ltd (Moonah Hotel) | 92(2) | Failure to provide CCTV surveillance footage | Fined $5 160 |
Disciplinary action taken by the Commissioner for Licensing June 2021 – November 2021
| Licence holder | Section of Act | Breach | Outcome |
Mendel Zotz-Wilson (Crescent Hotel) | 5 | Sell liquor except as authorised | Fined $344 |
Sharon Adams (Waterfront Hotel) | 70(2)
| Service of liquor to a young person | Fined $516 |
Rodney Barker (Handle Bar) | 49
99(c) | Failure to notify Commissioner of change Licensee is no longer qualified to hold a licence | Licence suspended for two months |
Decisions made by the Commissioner for Licensing
The Commissioner for Licensing is responsible for the determination of liquor licence applications in accordance with the Liquor Licensing Act 1990. Details of the Commissioner's most recent decisions are available on the Liquor and Gaming website.