Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) is stepping up efforts to reduce gambling harm through an intelligence-led operation targeting compliance with new mandatory gaming machine shutdown requirements.

As part of the NSW Government’s ongoing rollout of gaming reforms, under new rules, gaming machines in NSW venues must be switched off between 4am and 10am each day, a key harm-minimisation measure that reduces opportunities for extended play.

In April this year, the NSW Government removed outdated exemptions that enabled more than 650 pubs and clubs to operate gaming machines during standard shutdown hours.

Since then, L&GNSW has reviewed 51 venues across Sydney, the Hunter and the North Coast, with a further 70 venues under assessment as inspections continue in coming months.

The operation has resulted in fines being issued to the Crown Hotel in Camden and East Cessnock Bowling Club, an official caution being issued to one venue, and one venue being referred for formal disciplinary action.

Using a combination of real-time data analysis, venue inspections and record examinations, L&GNSW is identifying venues that may not be meeting their obligations.

While regulatory action has been taken where warranted, 32 venues have also received education and compliance support where issues were isolated, minor in nature, or arose from exceptional circumstances outside the venue's control.

Of the 672 venues that had reduced shutdown periods, usually for three hours instead of six, many had been in place for more than 20 years. A small number of venues have been assessed and approved to keep three-hour shutdowns by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority.

L&GNSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations Dimitri Argeres said the results demonstrate that venues should expect ongoing scrutiny of their compliance with mandatory shutdown requirements.

"The six-hour shutdown period is an important safeguard that supports harm minimisation by providing a guaranteed break in gaming machine operation each day,” Mr Argeres said.

"While it’s pleasing that the vast majority of reviewed venues have met their obligations, we have identified a small number of breaches resulting in penalties, regulatory action and ongoing investigations.

"Our approach is intelligence-led and proportionate. Where issues are minor or isolated, we work with venues to improve compliance. However, significant or repeated breaches will attract stronger regulatory action."

"Venue operators should ensure their systems, processes and staff are equipped to meet the requirements and prevent gaming machines operating during mandatory shutdown periods."

"We will continue to use data, technology and targeted inspections to identify non-compliance and ensure venues are meeting their obligations,” he said.

Gaming machine shutdown breaches have occurred in recent years at:

• the Concourse Hotel at Wynyard, fined $110,000 in 2025 for allowing patrons to play its 29 gaming machines outside of authorised hours,

• the former Richards on the Park Hotel at Canley Vale, fined $44,000 in 2025 for operating gaming machines on 68 occasions outside of authorised hours, and

• the Royal Inn Hotel at Newcastle, fined $7,540 in 2024 for operating gaming machines on 13 occasions outside of authorised hours.
  
  

As part of its most comprehensive tranche of gaming reforms introduced, in August 2026 the NSW Government announced that the mandatory gaming shutdown period will be reviewed as evidence shows higher risk gamblers play in the early hours of the morning. Any proposed changes will be informed by consultation with stakeholders, as well as evidence of gambling harm and operational impacts.

For further information on NSW gaming machine shutdown periods visit: nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/liquor-and-gaming/gaming/gaming-machines/shutdown-periods

For free, confidential gambling harm advice and support, call GambleAware on 1800 858 858 24/7 or visit www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au