Gaming and a Local Impact Assessment
A local impact assessment (LIA) is usually required for hotels or registered clubs who wish to increase the number of gaming machines in their venue (called a gaming machine threshold) or when they change their physical location.
A gaming machine threshold (GMT) is the number of gaming machines that are lawfully permitted in a hotel or club (i.e. gaming machine entitlements (GMEs) and/or poker machine permits (PMPs) in the case of a hotel). For each gaming machine operated in a NSW club or hotel, that venue must have a GME or PMP (in the case of a hotel). A hotel’s GMT cannot exceed 30.
There are two different classes of LIA – Class 1 and Class 2. In order to have a Class 1 LIA approved, the applicant must demonstrate that the proposed increase to the GMT will have a positive impact on the local community, whereas a Class 2 LIA must demonstrate that the proposed increase to the GMT will have an overall positive impact on the local community.
The purpose of an LIA is to inform and support a community consultation process that helps the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority determine whether approving the application to increase a venue’s GMT will provide a positive contribution to the local community, or have an overall positive impact on the local community