Australian states are implementing comprehensive pokies reforms aimed at reducing gambling harm, preventing money laundering, and improving industry accountability. These changes affect operating hours, venue responsibilities, and player protection measures across NSW, Victoria, and other jurisdictions.
Australia is undergoing significant changes to its pokies regulations, with new rules designed to reduce gambling harm and improve industry accountability. These reforms affect thousands of venues across multiple states, introducing stricter operating requirements, enhanced player protection measures, and comprehensive compliance obligations. Understanding these changes is essential for venue operators, staff, and players navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
The new pokies rules represent the most comprehensive gaming reforms in Australian history. State governments have responded to mounting evidence of gambling harm by implementing measures that restrict operating hours, mandate responsible gambling officers, and require detailed incident reporting. These changes follow years of consultation with industry stakeholders, community groups, and independent advisory panels.
The reforms vary by jurisdiction but share common objectives: reducing late-night gambling harm, improving venue accountability, and strengthening consumer protection mechanisms. NSW has taken a leading role by ending exemptions that allowed 24-hour gaming operations, while Victoria continues to refine its compliance framework through updated national standards.
One of the most significant changes affects when pokies can be operated. NSW has announced that more than 670 venues will lose their exemptions to operate gaming machines after 4am. This decision follows government-funded research showing that poker machine players experience significantly more harm after midnight.
Gaming rooms must now close at 4am across NSW, with venues given until 31 March 2026 to comply. Previously, exemptions allowed some venues to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These exemptions were granted for various reasons including tourist destination status or financial hardship claims.
Venues that believe they have a strong case for maintaining extended hours can appeal before the deadline, but must meet tougher conditions imposed by the state's independent regulator. The specific conditions for these appeals have not yet been fully announced, but are expected to require substantial evidence of minimal harm and strong community benefit.
The operating hour restrictions apply to clubs, pubs, and hotels with gaming machine entitlements. Tourist venues and those in regional areas previously enjoyed more flexible arrangements, but the new rules prioritise harm reduction over commercial considerations. Venues must adapt their business models to accommodate the reduced operating windows while maintaining profitability.
From 1 July 2024, venues with more than 20 gaming machine entitlements must employ Responsible Gambling Officers. This requirement represents a major shift in how venues manage gambling harm and support at-risk players.
Responsible Gambling Officers must be trained to identify problem gambling behaviours, intervene appropriately, and connect players with support services. They serve as the primary point of contact for gambling-related concerns within venues and must be available during all gaming hours. The role requires specific qualifications and ongoing professional development to maintain competency.
RGOs are responsible for implementing venue gambling policies, training other staff members, and ensuring compliance with responsible gambling protocols. They must maintain detailed records of interventions, self-exclusion requests, and other gambling-related incidents that occur on the premises.
All venue staff who work in or near gaming areas must receive responsible gambling training. This training covers recognising signs of problem gambling, understanding self-exclusion programs, and knowing how to respond to distressed players. The training must be refreshed regularly to ensure staff remain current with best practices and regulatory requirements.
The new pokies rules represent a fundamental shift in how gaming venues operate across Australia. Venues must now implement comprehensive compliance frameworks including staff training, incident reporting systems, and gaming plans of management. These requirements apply to pubs, clubs, and hotels with gaming machine entitlements.
Operators must adapt their business models to accommodate mandated closing times, enhanced monitoring systems, and stricter responsible gambling protocols. The reforms prioritise player protection while maintaining viable business operations for licensed venues that comply with the updated regulatory framework.
All venues with gaming machines must now maintain a Gambling Incident Register. This register documents all gambling-related incidents including self-exclusion requests, patron interventions, disputes, and any concerning behaviours observed by staff.
Venues can maintain registers in either bound book format or digital systems, provided the records are secure and tamper-proof. Each entry must include the date, time, nature of the incident, actions taken, and staff members involved. Registers must be available for inspection by regulatory authorities at any time.
The register serves as a critical compliance tool, demonstrating that venues are actively monitoring for gambling harm and taking appropriate action. Failure to maintain accurate records can result in penalties, including fines and potential loss of gaming entitlements.
Every venue with gaming machines must have a completed Gaming Plan of Management. While approval by regulatory bodies is no longer required, venues remain responsible for ensuring their plans meet all legislative requirements and are effectively implemented.
Gaming Plans of Management must address how venues will minimise gambling harm, manage responsible gambling obligations, and comply with all regulatory requirements. Plans should include staff training schedules, intervention protocols, signage requirements, and procedures for handling self-exclusion requests.
The plan must be reviewed regularly and updated to reflect changes in regulations, venue operations, or identified risks. All staff must be familiar with the GPOM and understand their responsibilities under it.
The Gaming Machine National Standard has been amended to version 12.1, incorporating a range of consumer protection and harm minimisation reforms. These changes come into effect in NSW on 12 March 2026 and affect how gaming machines operate and what information they must display.
Gaming machines must meet specific technical standards regarding spin rates, bet limits, autoplay restrictions, and information displays. Machines must display clocks, provide electronic player information displays, and comply with banknote acceptance restrictions. These technical requirements aim to reduce the intensity of play and provide players with better information about their gambling activity.
Venues must ensure all machines are connected to approved monitoring systems that track play activity, financial transactions, and compliance with operating parameters. The monitoring data must be accessible to regulators and can be used to identify venues or machines associated with higher harm indicators.
Victoria maintains its own comprehensive compliance framework for poker machines, requiring venues to connect to the state's independent monitoring system operated by Intralot Gaming Services. All venue operators must enter into a Venue Monitoring Services Agreement to conduct gaming operations.
The monitoring system tracks all gaming machine activity in real-time, providing regulators with detailed data on play patterns, financial performance, and compliance with operating rules. Venues must facilitate access to gaming equipment for monitoring system installation and maintenance, and must keep records of who accesses their monitoring data.
NSW has implemented Vibrancy Reforms as part of a cross-government initiative to improve the night-time economy while maintaining responsible gambling standards. These reforms began in December 2023 and continued through 2024, introducing changes to support music venues, significant events, and outdoor business operations.
The reforms take a risk-based approach to licensing, recognising that not all venues present the same level of gambling harm risk. However, the vibrancy measures do not override the fundamental harm minimisation requirements that apply to gaming operations.
Regulatory authorities have enhanced their enforcement capabilities to ensure venues comply with the new rules. Non-compliance can result in substantial penalties including fines, suspension of gaming entitlements, and in serious cases, permanent loss of gaming licenses.
Venues should conduct regular internal audits to ensure compliance with all requirements, maintain comprehensive documentation, and address any identified issues promptly. Proactive compliance management reduces the risk of regulatory action and demonstrates commitment to responsible gambling principles.
The new pokies rules represent a significant evolution in Australian gaming regulation, prioritising harm reduction and player protection over commercial considerations. Venues must adapt to stricter operating hours, enhanced staffing requirements, and comprehensive compliance obligations. While these changes present operational challenges, they reflect community expectations for more responsible gambling environments.
Successful adaptation requires investment in staff training, compliance systems, and cultural change within venues. Operators who embrace these reforms and implement robust responsible gambling frameworks will be better positioned for long-term sustainability in an increasingly regulated industry. Players benefit from enhanced protections, better information, and venues that actively work to minimise gambling harm.
Gaming rooms must close at 4am across NSW, with more than 670 venues losing their exemptions to operate beyond this time. Venues have until 31 March 2026 to comply with the new mandated closing times.
Venues with more than 20 gaming machine entitlements must employ a Responsible Gambling Officer from 1 July 2024. Smaller venues have different requirements but must still meet responsible gambling obligations.
A Gambling Incident Register is a mandatory record of all gambling-related incidents at a venue, including self-exclusions, interventions, and concerning behaviours. It can be maintained in bound book or digital format.
Version 12.1 of the Gaming Machine National Standard comes into effect in NSW on 12 March 2026. It includes enhanced consumer protection and harm minimisation requirements for gaming machines.
Venues that believe they have a strong case can appeal before 31 March 2026, but must meet tougher conditions set by the independent regulator. The specific appeal criteria are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Non-compliance can result in penalties including fines, suspension of gaming entitlements, and potential permanent loss of gaming licenses. Regulatory authorities have enhanced enforcement capabilities to ensure compliance.
Key organisations overseeing pokies regulations and providing support for responsible gambling initiatives across Australia.
Essential guide to implementing RGO requirements in venues with more than 20 gaming machines, including training, duties, and compliance obligations.
Comprehensive approach to developing and maintaining effective Gaming Plans of Management that meet regulatory requirements and reduce gambling harm.
More than 670 venues across NSW will lose exemptions to operate gaming machines after 4am, with compliance required by 31 March 2026.
Enhanced consumer protection measures in GMNS 12.1 will take effect in NSW on 12 March 2026, introducing stricter technical compliance requirements.
The remade Registered Clubs Regulation 2025 came into effect, updating governance and operational requirements for registered clubs with gaming entitlements.