Section 81: Credit and inducements
252.This section concerns restrictions on the offering of credit and inducements by operating licence holders. Subsection (1) provides that a condition may be attached by the Commission to an operating licence relating to:
the giving of credit in relation to the licensed gambling activities;
making offers or inducements designed to induce participation in the licensed gambling activities; or
being party to arrangements for inducing, permitting or assisting person to gamble.
253.In addition to this general condition-making power, subsection (2) provides that holders of non-remote casino or bingo licences may not themselves give any form of credit to people using their facilities. Nor may they arrange, permit or knowingly facilitate credit in connection with their gambling facilities. This means that credit cards cannot be used to pay for gambling offered by casino or bingo operators. A similar restriction is placed upon the relevant premises licences in Part 8, and Part 10 prevents credit cards being used to pay for gaming machines.
254.Subsection (3) allows cash-withdrawal machines accepting credit cards to be used by casino or bingo operators, provided that:
the nature and location of the machines complies with any relevant licence conditions; and
the provider of the machine and the gambling operator are unconnected, and no payment is made or received in connection with the machine.
255.Subsection 4 defines “credit” to include any form of financial accommodation and the acceptance of payment of a fee, charge, or stake in anything other than cash, cheque or debit card payment is considered credit.
