Pubs and clubs operating gaming machines in New South Wales (NSW) will have to abide by strict operating hours come March next year.

NSW’s Labor government under Premier Chris Minns has revealed that starting 31 March, leisure venues that have operational gaming machines will have to shut them down between 4am and 10am – ending a 20-year-old policy that allowed for varied hours of operations.

The repeal is led by NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, who believes that the deadline represents a sufficient notice period for venues to adapt their business operations, and that the government remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition.

He added: “The Minns Labor Government takes gambling harm minimisation seriously and these changes are a continuation of measures we are making to protect people in NSW who are experiencing harm.

“Following months of review, it is clear the 20-year-old variations enabling more than 670 clubs and pubs with gaming machines to operate outside of the mandated hours were no longer fit for purpose.

“So I have acted to revoke these variations and update the application process, in a phased way so that venues can still make their case to vary their hours.

“The NSW Government will continue to deliver evidence-based reforms to ensure we are striking the balance of addressing gambling harm while supporting an industry that contributes billions to the NSW economy and employs more than 150,000 people.”

Harris’ decision has been advised by multiple studies on the use of gaming machines during late hours, with the latest conducted by Liquor and Gaming NSW in 2024, titled “Review of Gaming Machine Shutdown Hours”. 

In it, researchers found that a minimum six-hour shutdown period commencing no later than 4am is effective at minimising gambling harm. No evidence was found to justify a change in the start time or extending the shutdown hours – with the study concluding that the time period is enough for punters to “cool off” and rest between play sessions.

Although the findings were in line with previous suggestions made by the Independent Panel for Gaming Reform, the effects of theoretically staying up until 4am to use such machines and the long-term repercussions of such late night gaming sessions is a matter requiring continuous research.

It is important to note that the Liquor and Gaming NSW study included research papers funded by NSW’s Responsible Gambling Fund, which collects 2% of each casino license’s monthly gaming revenue.

Industry voices guide research

Furthermore, besides its three independent Executive Committee members, the Independent Panel for Gaming Reform – responsible for creating NSW’s gambling framework roadmap – also has panel members working with companies that supply gaming machines.

Rebecca Riant is the CEO of Clubs NSW, an industry body representing NSW sports clubs, with game suppliers Aristocrat Gaming and Light & Wonder listed as Diamond and Silver partners respectively.

John Whelan is the CEO of the Australian Hotels Association NSW, which has also named Aristocrat Gaming a Diamond partner, and has Light & Wonder listed as well.

Another name is that of Don Hammond, CEO of Leagues Clubs Australia – an industry association representing clubs in Australia associated with rugby league. Light & Wonder is listed as a Platinum partner there, as is Australia’s largest betting firm and pub betting operator Tabcorp.

And finally, Jinesh Patel, the CEO of the Gaming Technologies Association, is also there – representing the trade industry association for gaming machine manufacturers and suppliers across the whole of Australia.

As with regulatory panels in other nations, it does include voices unrelated to the industry too, however, including academic ones – Professor Sally Gainsbury, Director of Gambling Treatment and Research Centre at Sydney University and Professor Melanie Randle, Honorary Professor at Wollongong University and the institution’ s Dean of Research, Development and Integrity from August 2023 to February 2024.

One can only hope that with such an expert lineup, the gambling reforms mandated by Minister Harris will truly help minimise gambling harm rates in NSW, where a 2024 study on 10,000 adults found that one in five survey respondents (21%) has experienced gambling harm in one form or another.