The NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) has banned former Erina Rugby League Football Club President James Savage from holding board positions at registered clubs for 12 months, after finding conflict-of-interest and procurement failures connected to building works at the club.
The decision followed a complaint from Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW), which investigated invoices totalling AU$80,870 ($52,400) paid between 9 October 2022 and 8 January 2023 to SavBuilt Pty Ltd and Master of all Handyman Services, both owned by Savage.
L&GNSW said the invoices were paid without tenders or quotes being provided to the club board for approval.
The regulator also reviewed a 2017 deck project, initially quoted at AU$90,000 by SavBuilt and JDS Building Services, another company owned by Savage, before the final cost rose above AU$450,000.
ILGA found Savage was not a fit and proper person to act as club president. It said he failed to properly record conflicts of interest, should have disclosed the use of his own companies and did not obtain competitive quotes or follow tender processes.
Savage was fined AU$1,100 and ordered to pay AU$31,147 in investigation costs. Public reporting of the decision said Savage resigned from the club in April 2024.
The case sits within a broader governance focus across NSW registered clubs, which operate under the Registered Clubs Act and the Registered Clubs Accountability Code.
L&GNSW guidance states that accountability obligations apply to all registered clubs in NSW.
L&GNSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations, Dimitri Argeres, said: "Saying there was a lack of governance knowledge among directors is not a defence."
The regulator also linked the Erina matter to a separate ILGA determination involving Dalmacija Sydney Croatian Club’s 2021 sale of its Terrey Hills property. In that case, ILGA found a complaint against Veljko Bosnic and Tom Bosnic was established, but determined that a Supreme Court order requiring them to pay the club AU$250,000 was sufficient penalty.
NSW clubs remain under wider scrutiny as the state continues to debate poker machine reform, including proposals for venue restrictions, gaming-machine reductions and stronger harm controls.
Earlier this year, Austrian sports clubs faced legal action over sponsorship deals with Interwetten, after litigation funder Jufina argued that sports organisations could face pressure over gambling-related commercial partnerships.
ILGA’s disciplinary register lists the Savage decision as a complaint under section 57F of the Registered Clubs Act 1976
