Australian states are implementing significant changes to poker machine regulations in 2025, focusing on harm reduction, mandatory shutdown periods, and stricter compliance standards. These new rules affect over 670 venues and introduce enhanced technical requirements for gaming machines.
Australian gaming regulations are undergoing significant transformation in 2025, with new pokies rules designed to address public health concerns while maintaining regulatory compliance across the industry. These changes affect hundreds of venues, introduce stricter operational requirements, and close longstanding loopholes that have allowed extended trading hours for poker machines.
The new pokies rules represent the most comprehensive reform of gaming machine regulations in over two decades. Driven by government-funded research showing that poker machine players experience significantly higher rates of harm after midnight, state governments are implementing mandatory shutdown periods and eliminating exemptions that have allowed venues to operate gaming machines around the clock.
More than 670 poker machine venues across New South Wales will lose their outdated exemptions to operate after 4am, ensuring gaming rooms close at the mandated deadline. This decision follows criticism from independent advisory panels, damning audit reports, and political pressure from multiple parties concerned about what experts describe as a public health catastrophe.
Under the Gaming Machines Act 2001, poker machines in hotels and clubs must be switched off for a minimum of six hours daily, between 4am and 10am. However, three variation provisions have allowed venues to apply for exemptions, resulting in 674 venues currently operating outside these mandated hours, with some offering 24/7 gambling.
Gaming Minister David Harris announced that exemptions provided for various reasons including tourist destination status or financial hardship are no longer acceptable. All 673 clubs and pubs with exemptions have until 31 March 2026 to adapt to the standard shutdown requirements. Venues believing they have a strong case for exemptions may appeal before this deadline but must meet significantly tougher conditions imposed by the state's independent regulator.
The Productivity Commission has consistently found that shutdown periods of less than six hours are ineffective at reducing gambling harm. Research indicates shutdowns are most effective when starting no later than 2am and lasting at least six hours. Longer shutdowns of eight or ten hours do not significantly affect overall turnover of clubs and hotels but do have measurable impact on problem gambling prevalence.
The Greens have introduced legislation proposing even more restrictive hours, with the Gaming Machines Amendment Bill 2025 requiring all venues to shut down poker machines between midnight and 10am. This proposal delivers on key recommendations from experts, community organisations, and the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform.
Gaming machines must meet approved technical standards before receiving approval from regulatory authorities. These standards govern design, manufacturing, and operational requirements to ensure fair play and regulatory compliance.
The Gaming Machine National Standard serves as the primary guide for manufacturers designing gaming machines, game software, and related equipment. The amended GMNSW 12.1 comes into effect on 12 March 2026 in NSW. Each state maintains an appendix listing technical requirements that are additional to, different from, or not required compared to the national standard.
In Victoria, venue operators must ensure their electronic gaming machines are approved for operation, operate within established rules, and provide certain information as outlined in laws and standards determined by the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.
New or modified gaming machines must undergo testing by licensed testing facilities before approval by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority Board. Testing facilities use approved technical standards to evaluate gaming equipment comprehensively. Only holders of gaming machine dealers licences can design and manufacture gaming machines for the Australian market.
The new pokies rules establish a comprehensive framework for gaming machine operations across Australian states. Venues must comply with mandatory shutdown periods, technical standards, and monitoring requirements administered by state gaming authorities. The regulations aim to reduce gambling harm while maintaining industry viability through evidence-based policy measures.
Implementation occurs in stages, with venues required to adapt their operations by March 2026. Regulatory bodies including Liquor and Gaming NSW and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission oversee compliance through licensed monitoring systems and regular audits. Venues seeking exemptions must demonstrate compelling cases under stricter criteria than previously applied.
Venue operators face extensive monitoring and compliance obligations under the new pokies rules. These requirements ensure regulatory oversight and enable authorities to track gaming machine operations in real-time.
All gaming machines must connect to state-approved monitoring systems. In Victoria, Intralot Gaming Services operates as the single independent monitoring licensee providing electronic monitoring for all poker machines outside Crown Casino. Venue operators must enter into Venue Monitoring Services Agreements to conduct gaming operations legally.
The NSW gaming machine communications protocol defines requirements for communications between gaming machines, the Centralised Monitoring System, and other equipment. This protocol ensures transparent data collection and regulatory oversight of all gaming activities.
Venues must maintain compliance across multiple operational areas including bet limits, spin rates, banknote restrictions, autoplay functions, and clock displays. Gaming equipment logbooks must document all events, faults, and malfunctions. Venue operators must report substantial wins over ten thousand dollars, defective machines, electrical failures, and any floods or fires affecting gaming machine areas.
Gaming regulations specify features banned from poker machines to reduce gambling harm. The NSW Gaming Machine Prohibited Features Register outlines features manufacturers cannot include in gaming machine design. These prohibitions address concerns about machine characteristics that may encourage excessive gambling or exploit vulnerable players.
New rules impose restrictions on banknote acceptance and autoplay functions. Load-up limits on poker machines cap the amount players can insert at one time. Bet limits restrict maximum wagers per spin. These measures aim to slow gambling pace and reduce potential losses during individual gaming sessions.
All gaming machines must display clocks and electronic player information displays. These displays provide players with time awareness and information about their gambling activity. Pre-commitment rules allow players to set limits on their gambling before beginning play, with systems enforcing these self-imposed restrictions.
Jackpot arrangements require specific technical standards and financial administration agreements. The NSW jackpot technical standard lists requirements for integrated standalone progressive gaming machines, linked progressive jackpot systems, and standard linked progressive gaming machines.
Venues wishing to conduct multi-venue linked jackpot arrangements must enter into Jackpot Financial Administration Services Agreements and Trust Deeds with monitoring licensees. These agreements govern fees, liability, data ownership, and technical requirements for connecting gaming machines to jackpot systems.
The new pokies rules may result in pushback from the powerful clubs and pubs lobby. Analysis shows that of the 674 venues currently operating under exemptions, 97 percent of turnover generates outside standard shutdown hours with only 3 percent during varied hours. This data suggests extended hours contribute minimally to overall venue revenue while significantly increasing gambling harm risk.
Three of the ten most profitable clubs operate with extended trading hours after gaining hardship exemptions to mandatory shutdown periods. Critics argue these exemptions have been exploited by wealthy venues that do not meet genuine hardship criteria. The removal of these exemptions aims to create a level playing field while prioritising public health outcomes.
Multiple regulatory bodies oversee gaming machine compliance across Australian states. Liquor and Gaming NSW administers regulations in New South Wales, while the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission governs Victorian operations. These authorities conduct audits, investigate complaints, and enforce compliance through licensing conditions and penalties for violations.
Independent advisory panels provide expert guidance on gambling reform measures. The Independent Panel on Gaming Reform has made key recommendations including mandatory shutdown periods and removal of exemption loopholes. Government decisions to implement these recommendations reflect growing recognition of gambling harm as a serious public health issue requiring evidence-based policy responses.
The new pokies rules represent a significant shift in Australian gaming regulation, prioritising harm reduction while maintaining industry viability. Mandatory shutdown periods, stricter technical standards, and enhanced monitoring requirements create a more robust regulatory framework. Venues have until March 2026 to adapt to these changes, with limited exemptions available only under stringent conditions.
These reforms respond to compelling research evidence showing increased gambling harm during late-night and early-morning hours. By closing longstanding loopholes and implementing consistent standards across venues, regulators aim to reduce problem gambling prevalence while preserving legitimate entertainment options. The success of these measures will depend on effective enforcement and ongoing evaluation of their impact on both gambling harm and industry operations.
All poker machines in NSW must be switched off between 4am and 10am daily, with exemptions being removed for 673 venues by 31 March 2026. Some reform advocates propose extending this to midnight through 10am.
Government-funded research shows poker machine players experience significantly more harm after midnight. The 20-year-old exemptions are considered outdated and no longer fit for purpose, with many wealthy venues exploiting hardship provisions.
Gaming machines must comply with the Gaming Machine National Standard and state-specific appendices. The amended GMNSW 12.1 takes effect in March 2026, covering design, software, communications protocols, and prohibited features.
All machines must connect to centralised monitoring systems operated by licensed providers. These systems track operations in real-time, with venue operators required to maintain monitoring service agreements and provide access to regulatory data.
Venues believing they have a strong case may appeal before 31 March 2026, but must meet significantly tougher conditions imposed by independent regulators. The specific conditions have not yet been announced.
Regulatory authorities can impose penalties including fines, licence suspensions, or revocations. Venues must report all malfunctions, substantial wins, and compliance issues to maintain their operating licences.
Official organisations overseeing gaming machine compliance and regulation across Australian states
Gaming machines must meet comprehensive technical standards covering design, software, communications, and operational requirements before receiving regulatory approval.
Venue operators must maintain extensive compliance obligations including monitoring agreements, operational standards, and reporting requirements for all gaming activities.
More than 670 venues will lose exemptions to operate after 4am, with compliance deadline set for 31 March 2026.
Gaming Machines Amendment Bill proposes extending mandatory shutdown from midnight to 10am across all NSW venues.
Amended Gaming Machine National Standard 12.1 approved with enhanced requirements for manufacturers and operators.