Watchdog investigates club board for employing corrupt manager

The state gaming regulator is investigating the board of a western Sydney RSL club for allowing its general manager to remain in his position after he admitted to receiving kickbacks and for continuing to employ him after he was banned from holding office.

Seven Hills RSL general manager Joseph Bayssari was found to have received undisclosed weekly payments from a club contractor that amounted to more than $280,000 over a period of four-and-a-half years, as well as free food and hospitality, forgiven rent, gift cards and home renovations.

The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority [ILGA] also found that he had awarded catering contracts to his son’s company without a transparent tender process and accepted $35,000 in cash without a legitimate explanation.

It fined him $11,000 and banned him from holding a position as a club office holder for five years. He stepped down as the club secretary on August 3.

Liquor and Gaming NSW [L&GNSW] is looking into the board’s actions in allowing Bayssari to continue as general manager despite possibly learning as early as 2022 that allegations had been made against him.

ILGA noted in its disciplinary findings that Bayssari made key admissions in August 2025, including that he had accepted cash and food from a contractor without disclosing those benefits to the board, and did not record conflicts of interest.

But Bayssari remained in his position for another year until ILGA banned him from holding office on July 31, having found that he had engaged in behaviour that was “dishonest, not in the best interests of the club and not in good faith”.

L&GNSW is also investigating his continued employment at the club three weeks after it handed down its decision.

Seven Hills RSL said ILGA had determined an appropriate sanction on Bayssari “after much deliberation”.

“His present employment with the club complies with the authority’s orders made against Bayssari. In deference to the authority’s decision, we have no further comment to make at this time,” the club said.

The decision by L&GNSW to pursue to the board for Bayssari’s failings follows revelations that the board of Club Marconi in Bossley Park stood by its president, Morris Licata, after an independent investigation by a former assistant police commissioner found he had excessively spent on the club’s dime and engaged in conflicts of interest.

Licata made no admissions, and L&GNSW investigated the matters and decided this year to take no further action .

Bayssari was appointed general manager of Seven Hills RSL in 2003, having started his employment with the club eight years earlier. He oversaw the expansion of the club to include Pennant Hills Bowling Club and Penrith Golf Club, as well as renovations of the club’s own premises.

Bayssari’s family has also profited from the club through their stake in its on-site restaurant Fitzroy Lane, which is owned by Bayssari’s sons through various companies.