‘Out of the Zone’: Pokies in NSW to Be Switched Off in Danger Hours

‘Out of the zone’: Pokies in NSW to be switched off in danger hours

The NSW government says changes to poker machine operating hours will make gamblers “reflect upon their behaviour”.

Pulling the plug on pokies in bid to curb gambling harm

Poker machines will be powered down between 4am and 10am to reduce problem gambling in unsocial hours where risk is highest.

Pokies to fall silent for six hours across NSW without fail

Nearly 700 pokie machines venues across NSW will have to close their machines for at least six hours every night next year. NSW Gaming Minister David Harris has cancelled all exemptions to mandated hours for gaming rooms as of March 31, 2026, meaning pokies will close from 4am-10am every day. “… these changes are a continuation of measures we are making to protecting people in NSW who are experiencing harm,” he says. “Following months of review,…