NSW gambling regulator ILGA (Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority) is considering a crackdown on the availability of poker machines after midnight after new research showed a “significant link” between late-night play and problematic gambling behaviour across the state’s licensed venues.
The study, titled “Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) Late Night Play on EGM Player Behaviours”, found that gambling harm increased considerably for those playing poker machines into the late evening and early morning hours. It also found that people with gambling problems represent the majority of late-night poker machine players with almost two thirds of those playing between 2am and 8am experiencing significant negative consequences.
Among the listed objectives of the study is to “assess whether venue closing times could be used as a harm minimization strategy for EGM gamblers at risk of problem gambling,” the research paper explains.
ILGA chairperson Caroline Lamb said, “As part of our statutory obligation to minimise gaming related harm, ILGA will make use of the study’s conclusions to inform future decisions.”
“ILGA has implemented a number of measures to minimize gambling harm and address concerns about applications that increase the availability of gaming machines after midnight.
“We have developed Guideline 16 to help gaming venues reduce gambling harm after midnight and foster the responsible conduct of gambling.
“This includes a preference that all gaming related applications are required to be accompanied by a Gaming Plan of Management that contains a raft of measures designed to support licensees to minimise gambling relating harm in venues.
“ILGA also imposes licence conditions on gaming-related applications to mitigate risk of gambling-related harm.”
The study was funded by the NSW Government’s Responsible Gambling Fund with support from Liquor & Gaming NSW, and conducted by Roy Morgan Research.
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