TLDR NSW Labor is preparing tougher poker machine rules ahead of the next state election The plan includes a moratorium on new poker machine licences Clubs earning over AU$20 million from machines would face higher taxes Mandatory facial recognition in gaming rooms is part of the proposal The state plan follows new federal rules limiting gambling ads on TV
New South Wales is preparing a tougher set of rules for poker machines. The changes are expected to become part of the state Labor Party’s platform for the next election.
The issue was a main topic at NSW Labor’s annual conference on Sunday. Delegates passed a motion calling for action on poker machine reform.
NSW has close to 88,000 authorised poker machines. That is about half of all poker machines in Australia.
Most of these machines sit in pubs and clubs across the state. The Star Sydney casino holds 1,500 of them.
Crown Sydney does not have any poker machines. This is due to a long-standing exclusivity deal with the government.
Proposed Machine Limits
Under the reported plan, the government would stop issuing licences for new poker machines. This would be a moratorium, not a permanent ban.
The proposal would also remove half of all machines that get moved between venues. Those machines would go out of operation instead of relocating.
Clubs that earn more than AU$20 million in profit from their machines would pay higher taxes. This targets the highest-earning venues rather than smaller clubs.
The policy also calls for a reduction in the total number of machines over the next ten years. This goes beyond limiting new machines and aims to cut the existing total.
Pubs and clubs across NSW rely heavily on machine revenue. Changes at this scale could affect venue income across the state.