The New South Wales government has taken decisive action against round-the-clock gambling by stripping more than 670 venues of their ability to operate poker machines after 4am.
End of 24/7 Gambling Exemptions
Gaming Minister David Harris announced the landmark decision, which will force hundreds of clubs and pubs to close their gaming rooms at the mandated 4am deadline. The move affects 673 establishments that previously enjoyed special permissions to operate outside normal hours.
"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 the mandated hours were no longer fit for purpose," Harris stated.
Research Reveals Night-Time Harm
The policy shift follows compelling state government-funded research that revealed poker machine players face significantly higher risks of gambling-related harm after midnight. The study found that 70% of people gambling between 4am and 10am were classified as either high-risk or moderate-risk gamblers.
Minister Harris emphasised that the exemptions, some granted due to venues being considered tourist destinations or experiencing financial hardship, were no longer acceptable in modern society.
Political and Public Support
The decision comes amid mounting pressure from multiple fronts, including the government's own independent advisory panel on gambling, a damning audit report, and political pressure from both the Greens and Liberals.
In a surprising show of cross-party support, the NSW Liberals agreed to back moves ending the exemptions despite opposition from their Coalition partners, the Nationals. The conservative Australian Christian Lobby had also thrown its weight behind a private member's bill from NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann calling for the exemptions' removal.
Michelle Pearse, chief executive officer of the Australian Christian Lobby, welcomed the change, stating: "The fact that these exemptions have not been reviewed in 20 years is unacceptable when you think about the social cost."
Economic Impact and Public Health Crisis
The scale of gambling losses in New South Wales reveals the urgency of the situation. According to analysis by charity Wesley Mission, more than $1 million is lost to poker machines every hour in NSW, with a staggering $2.3 billion lost between April and June alone.
This represents an 8.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024, despite the state government implementing various harm reduction measures. Wesley Mission's chief executive, Stu Cameron, described these figures as evidence of a "public health catastrophe" requiring immediate government intervention.
Implementation and Appeals Process
Venues have been given until March 31 to adapt to the new regulations, though establishments believing they have a "strong case" for maintaining their exemptions will be permitted to appeal the decision. However, any successful appeals will be subject to tougher conditions imposed by the state's independent regulator, though these specific requirements have not yet been announced.
The government believes the changes will ensure more venues comply with a minimum six-hour shutdown period, allowing gamblers to "go home, get 'out of the zone', and reflect on their behaviour."
Harris defended the government's approach against accusations of insufficient action, stating: "These changes are a continuation of measures we are making to protect people in NSW who are experiencing harm."
The decision represents one of the most significant gambling reforms in recent years and is expected to face potential pushback from the powerful clubs and pubs lobby, which has historically resisted changes to gambling operating hours.
