Community Benefit Payment Scheme
Community benefit payments fund programs for not-for-profits and registered charities that support the social wellbeing of the local community.
Your organisation could receive funding for the programs you offer around responsible gambling, gambling harm, health and crisis services.
We may also provide community benefit payments to statewide or regionally based organisations that provide a benefit for the local community.
How the Community Benefit Payment Scheme works
When a venue applies to Liquor & Gaming NSW to increase the gaming machines on its premises, it must also complete a Local Impact Assessment (LIA). The LIA examines the impact that the additional machines may have in your community. The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority uses the LIA to determine if approving the application will have an overall positive impact on your community.
If the application is approved, the venue must make community benefit payments to the Responsible Gambling Fund (RGF). The payments are calculated and fixed. They may be a single, one-off payment or an annual payment for up to 5 years.
The RGF then distributes those funds to organisations in the venue’s local community. If your organisation is a not-for-profit or registered charity that supports the social wellbeing of the local community, you may be eligible for a community benefit payment.
How the RGF allocates community benefit payments
The RGF forms a community contribution panel to determine what organisations would benefit and make recommendations to the Minister. It makes sure that the allocation of funds as a result of a gaming machine increase is transparent, and payments are specifically targeted at gambling harm minimisation, health and social related services for the local community.
Community contribution panels consist of a local community representative (say, a Local Government or Health representative), responsible gambling experts (a GambleAware counselling service), a departmental representative and an RGF Trustee.
Criteria for assessing your community organisation
- Generally, payments are made to not-for-profit organisations and registered charities that support the social wellbeing of the local community. They’re usually a one-off offer to help those organisations to continue and further their work in the community.
- Assessment criteria include your organisation’s service model and your organisation’s ability to use the funds you receive on gambling harm minimisation, health and social related services for the local community.
- Payments are often tied to specific project outcomes, like responsible gambling education or services directed to gamblers.
How to register your interest
If this sounds like your organisation, put up your hand for a future community benefit payment by completing a short questionnaire and we’ll make sure you’re on our list.
Upcoming community contribution panels
These applications have been approved by ILGA, and community contribution panels will be convened when the venues commence trading:
- Woolgoolga Beach Tavern
- Burwood Social House
- The Grove Social House
These applications have been approved by ILGA, and community contribution panels will be convened:
- Lakeside Golf Club
- The Greens Gledswood Hills
- Bago Tavern
- Argenton Hotel
- Great Northern Hotel
- Rafferty’s by the Lake
Meet past community benefit payment recipients
Advance Diversity Services
Project objectives
- Programs focused on supporting CALD communities and emerging migrant groups
- Gambling education and awareness
- Collaboration with referrals to GambleAware South Eastern Sydney
$107,386.50 per annum for 2 years with review in 2025
LIA: St George Motor Boat Club & One Hurstville Plaza Hotel
Project Youth Australia
Project objectives
- Programs focused on youth housing and homelessness, education employment and training
- Gambling education and awareness
- Collaboration with and referrals to GambleAware South Eastern Sydney
$161,755.50 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2025
LIA: St George Motor Boat Club & One Hurstville Plaza Hotel
Supported Accommodation & Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI)
Project objectives
- Case management and crisis support for female victims of domestic violence
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Illawarra & Southern NSW
$119,620 per annum for 2 years with a review (date to be confirmed)
LIA: Cabbage Tree Hotel
Biripi Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre
Project objectives
- Health and social support services targeted to the Indigenous community in the Taree and old Bar communities
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware state-wide Aboriginal service
$88,858 per annum for two years with an evaluation in 2025
LIA: Old Bar Tavern
Community Activities Lake Macquarie (CALM)
Project objectives
- Support for primary prevention programs with a focus on youth in the Lake Macquarie LGA
- Gambling education and awareness for families and youth
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Hunter New England
$50,934 per annum for two years with an evaluation in 2025
LIA: Great Northern Hotel
Mallee Family Care
Project objectives
- Financial counselling and community legal service in the Balranald community
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Far & Western NSW
$84,764 per annum for 3 years with review in 2025
LIA: Euston Bowling Club
Swansea Community Cottage
Project objectives
- The Cottage emergency relief program
- Targeted early intervention youth holiday program
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Hunter New England
$138,595 per annum for 2 years with review in 2025
LIA: Argenton Hotel, Great Northern Hotel & Rafferty's by the Lake
Jenny’s Place
Project objectives
- Crisis support and case management for victims of domestic violence through the Newcastle Domestic Violence Resource Centre (NDVRC)
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Hunter New England
$126,926 per annum for 2 years with review in 2025
LIA: Albion Hotel, Fire Station Tavern, Lemon Grove Hotel & Seven Seas Hotel
Richmond Community Services
Project objectives
- Family education and parenting skills programs
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Blue Mountains & Western Sydney
$79,850 per annum for 2 years with review in 2025
LIA: Clarendon Tavern & North Richmond Hotel
headspace - Yass
Project objectives
- Programs targeting education in mental health, gambling, alcohol and other drugs
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Illawarra & Southern NSW
$57,354 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2025
LIA: Club House Hotel
Strengthening Community Access, Inclusion of Wellbeing Advisory Committee (under the auspice of Balranald Shire Council)
Project objectives
- Develop a health service map and strategic plan for health services in the Balranald community and surrounds
- Mental health first aid training for community members
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Far & Western NSW
$84,764 per annum for 3 years with review in 2026
LIA: Euston Bowling Club
headspace – Port Macquarie
Project objectives
- Support for youth mental health in the Port Macquarie and Hastings community, with a focus on Lake Cathie, Beechwood and Laurieton communities
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral to GambleAware Mid & Northern NSW therapeutic and financial gambling counselling services
$77,368.41 per annum for 2 years with review in 2025
LIA: Lake Cathie Tavern, Beechwood Hotel & Laurieton Hotel
Pathfinders
Project objectives
- Youth early intervention programs
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Hunter New England
$64,548 per annum for 2 years with review in 2024
LIA: White Bull Hotel
Prosper Project Australia
Project objectives
- Family One Stop Shop program and parent training programs
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
$101,211 per annum for 2 years with review in 2025
LIA: Hurlstone Park Hotel
Linking Communities Network
Project objectives
- Domestic and family violence support services in Leeton, Bland Shire/West Wyalong and surrounding areas
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Murrumbidgee
$122,674.83 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2024
LIA: Leeton Hotel & White Tank Hotel
Tradies in Sight
Project objectives
- Mental health education and engagement programs for young men, focusing on the Dubbo community
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Far & Western NSW
$20,862 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2024
LIA: Macquarie Club
Bathurst Uniting Support Services
Project objectives
- Gambling education and awareness
- Bathurst Uniting Support Services Program
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Far & Western NSW
$33,723 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2024
LIA: The Oxford Bathurst
Hawkesbury Area Women’s & Kids Services Collective
Project objectives
- Gambling education and awareness
- Counselling, support and emergency relief for people affected by domestic violence with a focus on the Hawkesbury Community.
- Hawkesbury Sexual Violence Prevention Network (HSVPN) program, activities and education for sexual violence prevention, and support for sexual violence victims with a focus on Aboriginal communities in the Hawkesbury region
- Cross-referrals and collaboration with RGF-funded gambling treatment and support services and GambleAware Blue Mountains & Western Sydney
$109,475 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2024
LIA: Bligh Park Tavern and Windsor Country Club
Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation
Project objectives
- Primary health services and counselling in the Balranald community
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Far & Western NSW
$84,764 per annum for 3 years with review in 2025
LIA: Euston Bowling Club
LeaderLife
Project objectives
- Youth engagement programs, focusing on the Dubbo community
- Cross referral to complementary youth services
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Far & Western NSW
$29,807 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2024
LIA: Commercial Hotel Dubbo & Dubbo Golf Club
Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre
Project objectives
- Community engagement with a particular focus on youth in the Wauchope community
- Financial counselling and emergency support for disadvantaged people in the Wauchope community
- Cross-referral to complementary youth services
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Mid & Northern NSW
$39,551 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2024
LIA: Hastings Hotel
Moving Forward DFV Case Management Services
Project objectives
- Case management and support for people affected by domestic and family violence in the Georges River and Bayside areas in consultation with local culturally and linguistically diverse organisations
- Parenting workshops
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware South Eastern Sydney
$59,614 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2024
LIA: St George Motor Boat Club
Orana Mid-Western Police District
Project objectives
- Project Walwaay, focusing on the Dubbo community
- Cross-referral to complementary youth services
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Far & Western NSW
$29,807 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2023
LIA: Commercial Hotel Dubbo & Dubbo Golf Club
Coffs-Clarence Police District
Project objectives
- Youth Active Rewards Program, focusing on the Sawtell and Toormina communities
- Cross-referral to complementary youth services
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Mid & Northern NSW
$30,475 per annum for 2 years with a review in 2023
LIA: Sawtell Hotel
Bankstown Women’s Health Centre
Project objectives
- Primary prevention programs, case management and support for domestic violence sufferers
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
1st year – $91,427
2nd year – $137,140
3rd - 5th year - $159,806 per annum
Funding for 5 years with a review in 2026
LIA: Hurlstone Park Hotel
Belmont Neighbourhood Centre
Program focus to include one or more
- Primary prevention programs and community education on domestic violence
- Youth engagement programs and early intervention
- Community outreach to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Hunter New England
$44,835 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2026
LIA: Belmont Hotel
The Burdekin Association
Project objectives
- Case management support, focusing on education and employment for youth in the Dee Why area
- Workshops for youth in the Dee Why area to develop wellbeing and life skills
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Northern Sydney & Central Coast
$40,000 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2026
LIA: Dee Why RSL
Southern Youth and Family Services Limited
Project objectives
- CHAIN (Community Health for Adolescents In Need) program supporting youth in the Wollongong community
- Support for homeless people, including case management and crisis response
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Illawarra & Southern NSW
$78,375 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2026
LIA: Dicey Riley’s
Community Restorative Centre
Project objectives
- “Locked Out” program, supporting Muslim communities impacted by incarceration
- Support and case management for individuals and families impacted by the criminal justice system, with a focus on the Hurlstone Park area
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
1st year – $91,426
2nd year – $137,140
3rd - 5th year - $159,806 per annum
Funding for 5 years with a review in 2026
LIA: Hurlstone Park Hotel
Canterbury Earlwood Caring Association
Project objectives
- Parenting and youth engagement and early intervention programs targeting early school leavers aged 11–14 with a focus on the Hurlstone Park area
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
1st year – $91,427
2nd year – $137,140
3rd - 5th year - $159,806 per annum
Funding for 5 years with a review in 2026
LIA: Hurlstone Park Hotel
Molonglo Support Services
Project objectives
- Programs supporting social wellbeing and people experiencing homelessness
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Illawarra & Southern NSW
$37,458 per annum for 5 years with a review (date to be confirmed)
LIA: Queanbeyan Bowling Club
Western Sydney Local Health District
Project objectives
- Cross-referral with local expert services, e.g. local Aboriginal and CALD organisations
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Blue Mountains & Western Sydney
1st year – $87,680
2nd year – $131,519
Funding for 2 years with a review (date to be confirmed)
LIA: The Marsden Brewhouse
Relationships Australia (NSW)
Project objectives
- Supporting and promoting the Men's Behaviour Change Program (MBCP) within the Newcastle LGA
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Hunter New England
$87,546 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2026
LIA: Sydney Junction Hotel
Macarthur Gateway Resource Services (MARCIA Women’s Refuge Incorporated)
Project objectives
- Case management and advocacy support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women experiencing domestic violence and/or homelessness
- Community outreach focusing on men
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware South Western Sydney
$61,380 per annum for 3 years with an evaluation in 2026
LIA: Ruse Tavern
Community Action for Better Living Inc (formerly Burwood Community Welfare Services)
Project objectives
- Domestic violence advocacy and family support
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
$49,407 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2025
LIA: Bath Arms Hotel
The Women’s Activities & Self Help (WASH) House
Project objectives
- Support services (including counselling support) to female victims of domestic violence
- Cross-referral with local expert services, e.g., local Aboriginal and CALD organisations
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Blue Mountains & Western Sydney
1st year – $87,680
2nd year – $131,519
3rd year – $175,359
4th year – $219,199
5th year – $263,039
LIA: The Marsden Brewhouse
North West Community Services (formerly Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre and Community Aid Service)
Project objectives
- Client centered activities within Blacktown LGA
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Blue Mountains & Western Sydney
1st year – $87,680
2nd year – $131,519
3rd year - $175,359
4th – 6th year – $160,746
Funding for 6 years with a review in 2026
LIA: The Marsden Brewhouse
Warrina Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services
Project objectives
- CALD and Aboriginal outreach and support
- Case management, support, advocacy and counselling for victims of domestic violence and their families
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Mid & Northern NSW
$70,304 per annum for 2 years (funding complete)
LIA: Seaview Tavern & Park Beach Hotel
Macarthur Family & Youth Services
Project objectives
- Support for youth and CALD communities
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware South Western Sydney
1st – 4th year – $61,380 per annum
5th year – $132,612
Funding for 5 years with a review in 2024
LIAs: Ruse Tavern & Ingleburn Hotel
Diversity Programs and Strategy Hub (previously Marrickville Community Mental Health Service)
Project objectives
- Inform gambling choices and responsible gambling behaviour in the Vietnamese and Nepalese communities in Marrickville
- Raise awareness of problem gambling and gambling related harm
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
$65,000 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2026
LIA: The Crown and Emperor Hotel
Nepean Community and Neighbourhood Services
Project objectives
- Support for vulnerable people to attend health services especially gambling harm minimisation, health, and social related services, including community transport and short-term ad hoc childcare
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Blue Mountains & Western Sydney
$71,826 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2025
LIA: Kingswood Hotel
Innari – Aboriginal Homelessness Support Service
Project objectives
- Gambling education and awareness
- Case management and cross-referral to complementary services
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
$70,000 per annum for 2 years (funding complete)
LIA: The Crown and Emperor Hotel
Focus Connect (formerly Macarthur Diversity Services Initiative)
Project objectives
- Delivery of projects, programs or services within the Camden community with outcomes targeting gambling harm minimisation, including prevention and awareness, and health and social related services
- Service is to be operated in partnership with Camden Council for the benefit of the community within the Camden LGA
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware South Western Sydney
$31,338 per annum for 2 years (funding complete)
LIA: Lakeside Golf Club
Marrickville Legal Centre
Project objectives
- Case management and cross-referral to complementary services
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
$65,000 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2025
LIA: The Crown and Emperor Hotel
Marrickville Youth Resource Centre
Project objectives
- Programs to support the centre as an alternative venue for youth to access
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
$45,000 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2025
LIA: The Crown and Emperor Hotel
Community and Cultural Connections
Project objectives
- Alternative venue located within the Addison Road complex for CALD community members to access, cross-referral to CALD gambling help services
- Partner with services to reach Vietnamese, Portuguese and Nepalese communities
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
$35,000 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2025
LIA: The Crown and Emperor Hotel
Robinvale District Health Services
Project objectives
- Social Worker/counsellor at the Robinvale District Local Health Service
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Far & Western NSW
$254,293 per annum for 2 years (funding complete)
LIA: Euston Bowling & Recreation Club
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
Project objectives
- Case management and cross-referral to complementary services
- Gambling education and awareness
- Cross-referral and collaboration with GambleAware Central Sydney
$75,000 per annum for 5 years with a review in 2025
LIA: The Crown and Emperor Hotel
