New South Wales Cracks Down on Pokies Venues Breaching Shutdown Rules

New South Wales gambling regulators are increasing inspections of pubs and clubs to ensure they comply with mandatory poker machine shutdown hours. The crackdown has already resulted in fines and disciplinary action, with dozens more venues facing scrutiny.

NSW Regulators Target Pokies Shutdown Breaches

Liquor & Gaming NSW has stepped up enforcement of mandatory poker machine shutdown hours following the removal of hundreds of venue exemptions earlier this year.

The regulator announced on 12 October that it had reviewed 51 venues across Sydney, the Hunter and the North Coast. Another 70 venues remain under assessment as authorities continue their compliance campaign.

Under NSW gambling laws, pubs and clubs must generally switch off their gaming machines between 4am and 10am each day. The six-hour break aims to reduce gambling harm by preventing extended periods of uninterrupted play.

Inspectors have already identified several breaches, resulting in financial penalties and further regulatory action.

Two Venues Fined Following Compliance Checks

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

The regulator has not disclosed the amounts of the two latest fines.

Regulators have adopted a targeted approach that combines real-time data analysis, venue inspections and examination of operating records.

While serious breaches can attract penalties, authorities have provided education and compliance assistance to 32 venues where problems were minor, isolated or caused by exceptional circumstances.

Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations Dimitri Argeres said the mandatory shutdown gives players an important break from gambling.

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

Argeres warned that significant or repeated violations would attract stronger enforcement action.

Hundreds of Gaming Machine Exemptions Removed

The compliance campaign follows major changes introduced by the NSW Government in April 2026.

Previously, 672 venues held exemptions allowing shorter shutdown periods, generally reducing the compulsory break from six hours to three.

Many exemptions had remained in place for more than two decades.

The government removed outdated exemptions affecting more than 650 pubs and clubs, although a small number have received approval to retain shorter shutdown arrangements.

The changes form part of a wider gambling reform programme that also includes new player protection measures.

In August, NSW announced plans to introduce facial recognition technology and a statewide gambling exclusion register. Read more about the proposed changes in NSW's mandatory facial recognition reforms.

Further Review of Shutdown Hours Planned

The latest campaign follows several substantial penalties for similar breaches.

In 2025, the Concourse Hotel at Wynyard received a $110,000 fine for allowing customers to use gaming machines outside permitted hours.

The former Richards on the Park Hotel at Canley Vale also received a $44,000 penalty for 68 breaches.

Meanwhile, the NSW Government plans to review the existing six-hour shutdown period as evidence suggests higher-risk gambling activity occurs during the early morning.

Any further changes will consider gambling harm research, industry consultation and the operational impact on licensed venues.

Operators can find additional information in the official Liquor & Gaming NSW enforcement announcement.