Poker machine reform

The evidence is clear: late-night gambling carries a higher risk of harm. 

People experiencing significant gambling problems are disproportionately represented in venues after midnight, when fatigue, isolation and reduced decision-making capacity can contribute to harmful gambling behaviour. 

A statewide shutdown of poker machines between midnight and 10am is one of the simplest and most effective reforms available. It would reduce access during the highest-risk hours while creating consistent, enforceable protection across NSW. 

Most importantly, it prevents harm before it occurs. 

We're calling for all poker machines in NSW pubs and clubs to be powered down between midnight and 10am. 

The current poker machine system relies heavily on individuals recognising harm and seeking help after difficulties arise.

A modern account-based gambling system would build protections into the gambling environment itself.

Mandatory account-based gambling can support:

• pre-set spending and time limits
• activity statements and gambling insights
• more effective exclusion measures
• stronger consumer protections
• improved transparency and regulatory oversight

Importantly, safeguards should be designed to prevent harm while protecting privacy and maintaining public trust.

We're calling for mandatory account-based gambling with evidence-based harm reduction measures built into the system.

People experiencing gambling harm need practical tools that work.

The current venue-based exclusion system is fragmented, difficult to navigate and inconsistent to enforce. People must often self-exclude from multiple venues individually, creating unnecessary barriers for those seeking help.

A single statewide exclusion register would provide a straightforward, effective system that applies consistently across NSW and is managed independently of the gambling industry.

We're calling for an independent statewide exclusion register that is easy to access, properly enforced and supported by sustainable funding arrangements.

Communities should have a stronger voice in decisions about gambling in their local area.

Local councils understand the social, economic and health impacts affecting their communities. Yet they currently have limited opportunities to influence poker machine licensing and expansion decisions.

We’re calling for councils and communities to have greater rights to participate, comment and appeal. Practically, councils should be notified of proposals that increase local gambling exposure — including more machines, transferred entitlements or new gambling areas in venues— and have access to local harm data, submission rights and appeal rights.

Good policy depends on good information.

At present, information about poker machine activity and gambling harm is often difficult to access and does not provide communities with a complete picture of local impacts.

While NSW now publishes more frequent gaming machine data, too much information remains aggregated, difficult to analyse or unavailable at the venue level. Communities should not have to rely on industry claims or partial data to understand the local impact of gambling harm.

NSW should also routinely measure and publish the social costs of gambling harm, drawing on the Victorian Government’s recent work to quantify the financial, health, family, productivity, crime and community impacts of gambling. A NSW equivalent would help show the true cost of poker machines to individuals, families, services, governments and local communities.

Greater transparency would help researchers, communities and governments understand where harm is concentrated, evaluate reform measures and hold decision-makers accountable.

Gambling policy should be guided by evidence, not industry claims.

We're calling for venue-level gambling data to be publicly available and for the NSW Government to routinely measure and report on the social impacts of gambling harm.

Communities that experience the greatest gambling harm should see a greater share of investment in prevention, treatment and community wellbeing. 

Revenue derived from poker machines should help fund evidence-based gambling support services, community programs and harm reduction initiatives. 

We're calling for a fair share of poker machine taxation revenue to be returned to communities most affected by gambling harm. 

NSW has more poker machines than any other Australian state and records the highest poker machine losses in the country.

Reducing gambling harm requires a long-term strategy that addresses not only how poker machines operate, but also how many are available.

Setting a clear target for reducing machine numbers would provide accountability and signal a commitment to creating a safer gambling environment over time.

We're calling for a clear, measurable strategy to reduce the number of poker machines in NSW.