Green Party introduces bill to shutdown New South Wales pokies for ten hours a day
Summary
The Greens have introduced the Gaming Machines Amendment (Mandatory Shutdown Period) Bill 2025 to close a loophole that lets hundreds of pubs and clubs in New South Wales keep poker machines running during the legislated shutdown period. Under current law machines must be switched off for six hours between 4am and 10am, but variation provisions have allowed 674 venues to operate outside those hours. The Bill would make shutdowns mandatory from midnight until 10am, aligning with expert and community recommendations aimed at reducing gambling harm.
Cate Faehrmann, the Greens’ gambling-harm spokesperson, says the industry has too much influence on policy and that hardship exemptions have been exploited by some of the state’s most profitable clubs. The Bill references Productivity Commission findings that shutdowns beginning no later than 2am and lasting at least six hours are most effective, and that longer shutdowns of eight to ten hours reduce problem gambling without materially affecting overall turnover.
Key Points
- The Gaming Machines Amendment (Mandatory Shutdown Period) Bill 2025 would require all pubs and clubs in NSW to shut poker machines from midnight to 10am.
- Current law mandates a six-hour shutdown between 4am and 10am but includes variation provisions; 674 venues currently operate with exemptions.
- Of the venues with exemptions, 97% of turnover occurs outside the standard shutdown hours and only 3% during the varied hours.
- The Productivity Commission and independent experts recommend shutdowns start no later than 2am and last at least six hours; longer shutdowns reduce problem gambling while having little effect on total turnover.
- Cate Faehrmann criticised the Premier for not closing loopholes and warned the Greens will act if the government fails to implement genuine pokies reform.
Context and relevance
This Bill targets a specific regulatory gap that allows many venues to escape the intended protections of the mandatory shutdown. It sits within a broader push across Australia for stronger measures to reduce gambling-related harm — including stricter trading hours, limits on losses and tougher oversight of exemptions. For operators, the measures could affect trading patterns and revenue; for policymakers and community groups, the Bill represents a concrete response to expert recommendations aimed at protecting vulnerable gamblers.
Why should I read this?
Short and blunt — if you live in NSW, work in hospitality or gambling regulation, or care about pokies harm, this might change how venues operate overnight. It’s about closing dodgy loopholes that let big clubs keep machines humming when people are most vulnerable. Worth five minutes of your time.
