Australia Fines Two Venues for Breaching Gaming Machine Shutdown Rules
Australia.- 14 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The gambling regulator in New South Wales (NSW), Liquor & Gaming NSW, has fined two venues for breaching mandatory gaming machine shutdown requirements.
The enforcement action forms part of an ongoing compliance campaign designed to ensure that gaming machines remain switched off between 4:00 am and 10:00 am daily, a measure introduced to reduce gambling-related harm.
So far, authorities have reviewed 51 venues, with a further 70 establishments under assessment.
Two Venues Receive Fines
The regulator confirmed on 12 October that fines had been issued to:
- Crown Hotel, located in Camden.
- East Cessnock Bowling Club, in the Hunter region.
Both establishments were sanctioned for failing to comply with restrictions governing gaming machine operating hours.
The regulator did not disclose the amounts of the fines in its public statement.
A third venue received an official caution, while a fourth was referred for formal disciplinary proceedings.
Mandatory Six-Hour Shutdown
New South Wales regulations require gaming machines in pubs and clubs to remain switched off between 4:00 am and 10:00 am every day.
The mandatory six-hour interruption is intended to limit extended gambling sessions and provide customers with a guaranteed break from play.
Some venues may operate under alternative shutdown arrangements, but only where specific exemptions have been approved by the relevant authorities.
More Than 650 Exemptions Removed
In April 2026, the NSW Government removed exemptions that had allowed more than 650 pubs and clubs to operate gaming machines during part of the standard shutdown period.
Of the 672 establishments previously operating under reduced shutdown arrangements, many had held their exemptions for more than 20 years.
In numerous cases, venues were only required to switch off their machines for three hours rather than the standard six.
The reform aimed to establish more consistent operating requirements across the industry.
Inspections Across Sydney, Hunter and North Coast
The compliance campaign covers several regions of New South Wales.
Liquor & Gaming NSW has already reviewed 51 venues across:
- Sydney.
- The Hunter region.
- The North Coast.
A further 70 establishments remain under assessment and will be subject to compliance checks over the coming months.
The regulator is using operational information and technology-based monitoring to identify potential violations.
Compliance Support for 32 Venues
In addition to issuing penalties, the regulator provided education and compliance assistance to 32 venues.
These cases involved minor or isolated issues, as well as exceptional circumstances outside the operators’ control.
Liquor & Gaming NSW emphasised that its enforcement approach distinguishes between isolated irregularities and serious or repeated breaches.
The objective is to improve compliance without necessarily imposing financial penalties in every case.
Statements From Dimitri Argeres
Dimitri Argeres, Executive Director of Regulatory Operations at Liquor & Gaming NSW, highlighted the importance of mandatory gaming machine shutdown periods.
He explained that the six-hour interruption is an important safeguard for reducing gambling-related harm by guaranteeing a daily break in gaming machine operations.
Argeres also noted that the vast majority of reviewed venues had complied with their obligations.
However, he warned that serious or repeated breaches would result in stronger regulatory action.
The executive urged operators to ensure that their systems, internal procedures and staff training were sufficient to prevent future violations.
Technology-Based Compliance Monitoring
Liquor & Gaming NSW is implementing an intelligence-led approach to monitoring gaming machine operations.
Its principal enforcement tools include:
- Real-time data analysis.
- On-site inspections.
- Examination of operational records.
- Identification of venues presenting potential compliance risks.
This approach allows regulators to prioritise inspections at establishments where irregularities may have occurred.
The monitoring programme will continue over the coming months.
Previous Enforcement Cases
New South Wales has previously imposed substantial penalties for similar gaming machine operating violations.
Notable cases include:
- Concourse Hotel, Wynyard: fined AU$110,000 in 2025 for allowing customers to use 29 gaming machines outside authorised hours.
- Richards on the Park Hotel, Canley Vale: fined AU$44,000 in 2025 for operating gaming machines on 68 occasions outside permitted hours.
- Royal Inn Hotel, Newcastle: fined AU$7,540 in 2024 for 13 shutdown violations.
These cases demonstrate that repeated breaches can result in significant financial penalties.
Review of Gaming Machine Shutdown Rules
In August 2026, the NSW Government announced a review of the mandatory gaming machine shutdown framework.
The review follows evidence indicating that higher-risk gamblers are more likely to play during the early hours of the morning.
Any future changes will be informed by research into gambling-related harm, stakeholder consultation and an assessment of the operational impact on venues.
Next Steps and Impact
The fines issued to Crown Hotel and East Cessnock Bowling Club reinforce New South Wales’ enforcement approach to mandatory gaming machine shutdown hours.
The removal of more than 650 exemptions and the inspection of dozens of establishments represent a significant development in the supervision of land-based gambling.
Over the coming months, Liquor & Gaming NSW will continue assessing the 70 venues awaiting review and may introduce additional enforcement measures where breaches are identified.
The initiative reflects the State Government’s commitment to strengthening responsible gambling policies through operating restrictions, technology-based monitoring and administrative penalties.
Editó: @fonta
