Gambling providers can bar a person from specific areas of their venue and from gambling activities. A barring order made at a venue can last an unlimited period.
Authorised betting operators can also bar patrons from betting with them.
As a licensee you:
- must bar someone if they ask to be barred from your venue (voluntary barring)
- may bar someone if you feel they could suffer harm or cause harm to their family because of their gambling
- may bar a person if someone else, such as a friend or family member, who is concerned about the person’s gambling behaviour requests it.
All barrings must be recorded on BOEN.
Voluntary barring
A patron can ask to be barred from your venue. Barrings can be for a specified timeframe or indefinitely.
If a person requests to be barred you must:
- respond to the barring request immediately
- provide a translator if necessary
- inform the patron of barring options - including the option to bar from multiple venues
- fill out the barring form while they are with you (either in person or over the phone)
- ensure the barring end date has been added to the barring order form
- ensuring all documents are completed and signed by the patron
- ensure the patron understands the period of the barring and how to contact CBS if they would like to add to or revoke their barring
- ask the patron for a photograph to assist with identification
- offer the patron a referral to a counselling service
- provide a copy of the barring order form to the patron
- remove that person from any loyalty mailing lists.
Under the Gaming Machines Gambling Code of Practice you can't refuse to bar a patron that requests a voluntary barring.
Requests for barring from multiple venues
Patrons who attend your venue and request to be barred may also ask for your help to voluntarily bar themselves from other venues.
If a patron asks to be barred from additional venues, you must complete both the barring order form and a barring order addendum form.
You will need to specify which venues - or suburbs and postcodes - the patron would like to be barred from.
Patrons can't be barred from all venues in South Australia.
You must get a photograph of the patron - CBS can't add additional venues to a barring unless a photograph of the barred person has been provided. A photocopy of the patron's drivers' licence is not sufficient.
You must explain to the patron that:
- until the commissioner processes their request, they will not be barred from any additional premises
- CBS will provide them with confirmation of their barring once the request has been processed.
Barring forms
Both the barring order form and the barring order addendum form are available from:
The forms must be uploaded to BOEN within 7 days of completion.
Involuntary barring
Involuntary barring occurs when you bar someone from your venue because:
- you believe their gambling is causing harm to themselves or their family (licensee barring)
- someone else has requested they be barred (third party barring).
Licensee barring
If a person is behaving in a manner that indicates they are at risk of harm - or at risk of causing harm to a family member - because of their gambling, you may bar that person from gambling at your venue.
The barring may be for a specified period or indefinitely and can include gaming machines, wagering or lotteries if the patron also gambles on these products.
You will need to complete the barring order form available from Gaming Care or Club Safe and ensure that you:
- provide a translator if necessary
- explain to the patron that the reason for the barring is due to concerns they are at risk of harm or at risk of causing harm to a family member
- ensure the patron understands the period of the barring and how to contact CBS if they would like the decision to bar them reconsidered
- ask the patron to provide a photograph for identification purposes
- provide a copy of the barring order form to the patron
- refer the person to a counselling service
- remove the person from any loyalty mailing lists.
Once the barring has been served on the patron, you must notify CBS within 7 days by uploading a copy of the barring order and any other supporting documentation to BOEN.
Third party barring requests
If a family member, friend or other person with a genuine interest in the welfare of a patron makes a request for them to be barred, you must consider the request carefully and make a decision promptly.
You may wish to speak to other staff, Gaming Care or Club Safe for further advice before making a decision.
You must complete a barring order form (noting whether the request was agreed or refused) and record the contact details for the third party.
You must notify CBS within 7 days by uploading a copy of the barring order and any other supporting documentation to BOEN.
A copy of the form should be provided to the third party and the patron.
In all cases, you should provide the third party with information about gambling counselling services and an immediate offer of referral.
You should advise both the patron and the third party that if they do not agree with your decision (either to bar, or to refuse to bar the patron) they can contact CBS within 14 days to request a reconsideration.
Reconsideration hearings
A reconsideration hearing is held if a patron or third party does not agree with a licensee's decision to bar or refuse to bar a patron.
Reconsideration hearings are used to:
- gather information from all parties
- determine whether the patron is at risk of harm
- determine whether any additional gambling activities or venues should be included
- determine how long the barring should be.
The commissioner (or delegate) will consider all the information and can either confirm, vary, revoke or reverse the decision. They may make recommendations to those involved or affected by the decision.
Once the reconsideration hearing is completed, the decision is final.
The outcome will be provided to all parties in writing.
Breach of barring
If a person who has been barred - or is suspected of being barred - enters a gaming area or attempts to take part in gambling activities, they are guilty of an offence.
Breaches may be detected manually or through an approved facial recognition system.
You may ask any person you suspect of being a barred patron to leave the gaming area and their winnings may be withheld if applicable.
Any licensee, gaming manager or gaming employee who allows a barred person to enter the gaming area or to gamble can be fined up to $10,000.
Notify using BOEN
You must also notify the commissioner of any breaches using BOEN within 7 days of the breach being detected.
The breach of barring notification form has recently been updated. Contact Gaming Care or Club Safe.
Failing to notify of a barring breach is an offence. A maximum penalty of $20,000 can apply.
Facial recognition technology
Certain licensees operating gaming machines with banknote acceptors need to operate a facial recognition system to identify barred persons about to enter a gaming area.
Licensees are only allowed to operate facial recognition systems that have been evaluated and approved by the commissioner.
See Facial Recognition Technology for more details about the currently approved systems, gaming machine licence holder requirements and the minimum technical requirements for systems.
Contact CBS Gambling Team
Email: gamblingadministration@sa.gov.au
Phone: 131 882 and select option 6
Post:
GPO Box 2169
Adelaide SA 5001
Personal barring queries
If you want to be barred or have questions about your barring phone or text: 0427 051 300
For all other queries, including venue queries relating to barrings, phone 131 882.
