The Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) tiered training framework clarifies the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of gaming staff and other senior roles within hotels and clubs in NSW relating to responsible gambling practices.
The training framework also provides the practical skills to identify and proactively intervene when patrons display signs of gambling harm to promote responsible gambling behaviours and minimise gambling harm in gaming venues.
The training framework consists of:
The Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) training is the foundation that qualifies you to carry out work in relation to gaming machines. The RCG course is designed to clarify the roles, responsibilities and expectations of working with gaming machines, as well as the laws relating to responsible gambling practices.
The course provides a clear idea of what is expected of you in the workplace, as well as a greater understanding of how you as a staff member can promote responsible gambling behaviours and minimise gambling harm in gaming venues.
Satisfactory completion of the course and the RCG mandatory online assessment is required to apply for a NSW competency card displaying the RCG endorsement (or to have the endorsement added to an existing competency card).
The RCG course covers:
Note: Obtaining the RCG endorsement is a pre-requisite for enrolment into the Advanced Conduct of Gambling (ARCG) course.
RCG training is mandatory if your work duties involved gaming machines. RCG training applies to:
Responsible Conduct of Gambling training is only available through L&GNSW Approved Training Providers (ATP). RCG courses may be offered in both a classroom setting (face to face) or virtual.
You can find an ATP delivering RCG via the ATP search and mapping tool on our website.
The cost of RCG training varies between Approved Training Providers (ATPs). The amount includes the cost of your NSW competency card.
Course costs can be discussed directly with ATPs.
You must complete and pass the RCG online assessment to receive the RCG endorsement on your NSW competency card. On completion of the RCG course, you will receive an email or SMS notification containing a link to the RCG online assessment.
The assessment contains 25 questions and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. You need to score 100% to pass and have unlimited attempts at successfully answering each question.
We recommend that you complete the whole assessment in one sitting, and within one week of completing the RCG course. On passing the assessment, you will be emailed the RCG interim certificate. The interim certificate is valid for 90 days and allows you to work immediately.
For further information, you can view our RCG online assessment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Interim certificates
On passing the RCG assessment, you will be emailed the RCG interim certificate. The interim certificate is valid for 90 days and allows you to work with gaming machines immediately.
Competency cards
If you do not have an existing NSW competency card, you will need to attend a Service NSW centre and complete the 100-point identification check to obtain one. You will then be issued a new competency card that will display the RCG endorsement.If you have an existing NSW competency card, your RCG endorsement will automatically be added to both the physical and digital versions of your card on successful completion of the course, as long as ServiceNSW has a photo and signature on file The cost of the updated competency card is covered in the fee paid on course completion.
Your card will be sent to your nominated address via post. Please allow up to one month for delivery.
Digital Competency Cards
You can obtain a digital competency card via the Service NSW Mobile App.
You can download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.
Visit Service NSW to learn more about the NSW Digital Competency card.
View the current RCG course participant workbook. PDF, 7049.42 KB
Interview footage with problem gamblers and counsellors can be accessed on the GambleAware YouTube channel. Help for problem gamblers is available at GambleAware.
View our FAQs about the L&GNSW RCG online assessment.
You are required to renew your NSW RCG competency every five years by completing the online RCG refresher course.
The new RCG refresher course covers the following topics:
Anyone who wants to retain their RCG competency should complete the RCG Refresher course.
Your expiry date is on the front of your NSW competency card. If we have your email and/or mobile number, we will notify you 90 days before your competency expires that you need to complete an online refresher training course.
If we don’t have your contact details, update them here.
If you don’t receive a reminder 90 days before your card expiry, you should contact L&GNSW so we can update our records and give you access to the refresher course.
Note: Completing a full course through an approved training provider prior to the expiry of your competency card will not extend the expiry date on your current card
You only have to pay the cost of issuing a new competency card with the renewed competency. Refer to the Fee Schedule.
If you already have a digital competency card, your competency will automatically update once you’ve completed the Refresher course.
If you don’t have a digital competency card, you can obtain one via the Service NSW app. The app is available via download from iTunes® or the Google Play™ store. Once you have the app, you’ll need your competency card holder number to add your competency.
Advanced Responsible Conduct of Gambling (ARCG)
The Advanced Responsible Conduct of Gambling (ARCG) course provides the resources and practical skills required to identify and proactively intervene to support patrons that might be experiencing gambling harm.
The ARCG course covers:
The NSW government is proposing to mandate Advanced Responsible Conduct of Gambling (ARCG) training for Responsible Gambling Officers (RGO) and other senior roles within hotels and clubs that operate gaming machines.
A staged implementation of the proposed training requirements will ensure that harm minimisation benefits are realised for the NSW community, while allowing NSW venues, staff, management, and training providers time to adjust.
The proposed ARCG training requirements reflect the increased risk of gambling harm that gaming machines represent and support a culture of proactive harm minimisation in venues.
Note: Your ARCG endorsement is automatically renewed on successful completion of the RCG refresher course prior to the expiry of your Competency card.
To create a proactive environment focussed on harm minimisation and provide support for RGOs, it is proposed that other individuals related to venue operations will also be required to complete ARCG training, including:
This ensures that senior management are aware of their harm minimisation obligations, can help drive venue culture, and are equipped to support RGOs in circumstances where RGOs may need to escalate serious instances of gambling harm to senior management.
The requirements for individuals in the above positions to undertake ARCG will be gradually introduced to ensure sufficient time for training to be obtained.
To obtain an ARCG competency, complete an ARCG course through an L&GNSW Approved Training Provider (ATP).
ATPs approved by L&GNSW to deliver ARCG competency training in NSW can be found here.
The price charged for an ARCG course varies between approved training providers. The amount you pay for your course will not include the cost of your NSW competency card.
However, if you wish to add your ARCG endorsement to your physical competency card, you will need to pay the cost of re-issuing the card. Refer to the Fee Schedule.
Upon successful completion of an ARCG course, you will receive an ARCG course completion certificate.
If you hold a digital competency card, the ARCG endorsement will be automatically added to your digital card free of cost.
To add the ARCG endorsement to your physical competency card, visit the competency card self-service portal to manage your competency card online.
Note: In NSW all competencies must expire on the same date, calculated five years from the first competency gained. For example, if your RCG competency expires in June 2024, even if you gain your ARCG competency in Jan 2023 both competencies will still have an expiration date of June 2024. This ensures all your competencies are current and expire on the same date.
You can obtain a digital competency card via the Service NSW app. The app is available via download from iTunes® or the Google Play™ store. Once you have the app, you’ll need your competency card holder number to add your competency.
The current ARCG course participant workbook can be found here ARCG Course Participant Workbook PDF, 4572.21 KB
T: 1300 024 720 | Monday to Friday | 9am - 4pmE: competency.card@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au
