More than 650 gaming machine exemptions revoked to address gambling harm | NSW Government

https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/gaming-machine-exemptions-revoked
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2026-03-25 16:16:12 · tsimcock@vixio.com
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The Minns Labor Government continues to reduce gambling harm by delivering on its commitment to remove outdated exemptions that enabled more than 650 pubs and clubs to operate gaming machines during standard shutdown hours.

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TITLE: New South Wales Revokes More Than 650 Gaming Machine Exemptions to Reduce Gambling Harm BODY: On 25 March 2026, the New South Wales (NSW) Government announced the revocation of more than 650 gaming machine exemptions held by pubs and clubs across the state. The exemptions, many in place for over 20 years, had permitted venues to operate gaming machines during non-standard shutdown hours, typically for three hours instead of the mandated six-hour period. From 1 April 2026, all affected venues must comply with NSW standard shutdown hours, requiring all gaming machines to shut down between 4am and 10am daily. The six-hour shutdown period is a harm minimisation measure designed to provide players with a mandatory break in play. The revocation follows a December 2025 announcement by Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris and a 2024 Review of Gaming Machine Shutdown Hours Framework conducted by Liquor & Gaming NSW, which determined that a minimum six-hour shutdown commencing no later than 4am is effective at minimising gambling harm. Of 672 venues with varied shutdown periods, 649 exemptions have been revoked by Liquor & Gaming NSW under delegation from the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority, with 10 revoked directly by the Authority. Thirteen venues remain under assessment, with outcomes to be communicated by 31 March 2026. Sixty-two venues applied to retain their exemptions; of 49 applications assessed, all have been revoked. Venues were given the opportunity to submit cases for retention under revised Ministerial Guidelines. Liquor & Gaming NSW will conduct a compliance campaign following 1 April to ensure adherence to the new requirements. This action forms part of a broader suite of gaming reforms implemented by the Minns Government, including reductions to cash input limits, gaming machine entitlements caps, and the introduction of Responsible Gambling Officers in venues with more than 20 gaming machine entitlements.
  • ✓ Scraped:2026-03-25 16:16:12
  • ✓ Created:2026-03-25 16:16:11
  • ✓ By:tsimcock@vixio.com (43)