Resources and education

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, problem gambling, 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. Complete this short questionnaire and we’ll make sure you’re on our list.

Upcoming community contribution panels

These applications have been approved by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority, and community contribution panels will be convened when the venues commence trading:

Burwood Social Club (panel will be convened late 2021)
Homebush Hotel (panel will be convened late 2021)
The Greens Gledswood Hills (panel will be convened mid 2022)
Woolgoolga Beach Tavern (panel will be convened early 2022)

Meet past community benefit payment recipients

Moving Forward DFV Case Management Services

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
Case management and support for people affected by domestic and family violence (DFV) in the Georges River and Bayside areas in consultation with local culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) organisations
Parenting workshops
Cross-referral to complementary support services and RGF-funded gambling and financial counselling services

$59,614.18 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2023

LIA: St George Motor Boat Club

Coffs-Clarence Police District

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
Youth Active Rewards Program (YARP), focusing on the Sawtell and Toormina communities
Cross-referral to complementary youth services

$30,475.16 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2023

LIA: Sawtell Hotel

LeaderLife

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
Youth engagement programs, focusing on the Dubbo community
Cross-referrals to complementary youth services

$29,807.09 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2023

LIA: Commercial Hotel Dubbo & Dubbo Golf Club

Orana Mid-Western Police District

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
Project Walwaay, focusing on the Dubbo community
Cross-referral to complementary youth services

$29,807.09 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2023

LIA: Commercial Hotel Dubbo & Dubbo Golf Club

Laurieton Men’s Shed

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
Events and activities to support and upskill unemployed men from the Laurieton community
Cross-referrals to RGF-funded gambling counselling services

$18,390 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2023

LIA: Laurieton Hotel

Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
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

$39,550.96 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2023

LIA: Hastings Hotel

The Burdekin Association

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
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
Cross-referrals to RGF-funded therapeutic and financial gambling counselling services

$40,000 per annum for 2 years with review in late 2022

LIA: Dee Why RSL

Southern Youth and Family Services Limited

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
CHAIN (Community Health for Adolescents In Need) program supporting youth in the Wollongong community
Support for homeless people, including case management and crisis response
Cross-referrals to RGF-funded therapeutic and financial gambling counselling services

$78,374.94 per annum for 2 years with review in late 2022

LIA: Dicey Riley’s

Bankstown Women’s Health Centre

Project objectives

Primary prevention programs, case management and support for domestic violence sufferers
Gambling education and awareness, and cross-referrals to therapeutic and financial gambling counselling in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA

1st year – $91,426.62
2nd year – $137,139.93
Funding for 2 years with a review in mid 2022

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, and cross-referrals to therapeutic and financial gambling counselling in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA

1st year – $91,426.62
2nd year – $137,139.93
Funding for 2 years with a review in mid 2022

LIA: Hurlstone Park Hotel

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, and cross-referrals to therapeutic and financial gambling counselling in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA

1st year – $91,426.62
2nd year – $137,139.93
Funding for 2 years with a review in mid 2022

LIA: Hurlstone Park Hotel

Creating Links NSW

Project objectives

Financial counselling
Support and case management for CALD communities, with a focus on the Hurlstone Park area
Gambling education and awareness, and cross-referrals to therapeutic gambling counselling in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA

1st year – $91,426.62
2nd year – $137,139.93
Funding for 2 years with a review in mid-2022

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 and gambling education and awareness, and/or
Cross-referrals to therapeutic and financial gambling counselling in the Lake Macquarie City LGA

$44,834.79 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2022

LIA: Belmont Hotel

Warrina Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness, including CALD and Aboriginal outreach and support program
Support, advocacy and counselling for victims of domestic violence and their families, including case management and cross-referral to RGF-funded services

$70,304.40 per annum for 2 years with review in mid-2021

LIA: Seaview Tavern & Park Beach Hotel

Relationships Australia (NSW)

Project objectives

“Taking Responsibility” program, for implementation within the Newcastle LGA
Cross-referral to RGF-funded gambling and counselling services (including Warruwi services where appropriate)

$87,546.20 per annum for 2 years with review in mid-2021

LIA: Sydney Junction Hotel

Nepean Community and Neighbourhood Services

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
Cross-referrals to RGF-funded services for gambling help and other local community services (including Warruwi services)
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 child care

$71,825.87 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2021

LIA: Kingswood Hotel

Macarthur Family & Youth Services

Project objectives

Case management and cross-referral to RGF-funded Gambling Help services including financial counselling and Warruwi services
Gambling education and awareness

$61,380 per annum for 2 years with review in late 2020

LIA: Ruse Tavern

Macarthur Gateway Resource Services (M.A.R.C.I.A. 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
Cross-referral to RGF-funded Gambling Help services including financial counselling and Warruwi services
Gambling education and awareness

$61,380 per annum for 2 years with review in late 2020

LIA: Ruse Tavern

Burwood Community Welfare Services

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness (as a complement to existing domestic violence advocacy and family support program)
Cross-referral service to gambling and financial counselling, including to RGF-funded Gambling Help services

$49,406.67 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2021

LIA: Bath Arms Hotel

Metro Assist (Campsie)

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness for diverse communities
Cross-referral service to gambling and financial counselling, including to RGF-funded Gambling Help services

$49,406.67 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2021

LIA: Bath Arms Hotel

Mount Druitt Community Health Centre

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
Cross-referral to RGF-funded gambling help services, including Warruwi services where appropriate
Cross-referral with local expert services, e.g. local Aboriginal and CALD organisations

1st year – $87,679.50
2nd year – $131,519.25
Funding for 2 years with a review in mid-2021

LIA: The Marsden Brewhouse

Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre and Community Aid Service

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
Cross-referral to RGF-funded gambling help services, including Warruwi services where appropriate
Cross-referral with local expert services, e.g. local Aboriginal and CALD organisations

1st year – $87,679.50
2nd year – $131,519.25
Funding for 2 years with a review in mid-2021

LIA: The Marsden Brewhouse

The WASH (Women’s Activities And Self Help) House

Project objectives

Gambling education and awareness
Support services (including counselling support) to female victims of domestic violence
Cross-referral with local expert services, e.g. local Aboriginal and CALD organisations

1st year – $87,679.50
2nd year – $131,519.25
Funding for 2 years with a review in mid-2021

LIA: The Marsden Brewhouse

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

$31,338 per annum for 2 years with review in late 2020

LIA: Lakeside Golf Club

Molonglo Support Services (previously St Benedict’s Community Centre)*

Project objectives

Program that targets homelessness and improves social wellbeing and support

1st year – Purchase of a bus to provide overnight accommodation for the homeless
2nd year – Maintenance and operation costs of the bus
$37,458 per annum for 2 years with review in early 2022

LIA: Queanbeyan Bowling Club

* Declined funding. Alternative organisation to carry out the same project objectives.