New South Wales has unveiled the NSW Gaming Reform package, which mandates facial recognition at gaming venue entry points, cuts the number of poker machines and bans VIP loyalty schemes. The government has allocated AU$95.2 million over four years to implement the measures.
The reforms draw on the NSW Gambling Survey 2024, which found that 3.1% of adults gamble at moderate risk and 0.9% at high risk. Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris described the package as 'a sensible, evidence-based approach'.
The centrepiece is a state-wide self-exclusion register. Currently voluntary self-exclusion operates only at individual venues, with staff responsible for enforcement. Under the new system, biometric checks will apply at all gaming hall entry points. A third-party exclusion scheme will allow friends, family, venues or police to trigger a player ban.
Poker machine numbers will fall from the current 87,000 machines across 2,100 clubs and hotels. When licences are sold, the surrender ratio will rise from one-third to one-half. A 'sinking cap' will lower the state-wide machine ceiling as units leave the market.
The government plans to shift to account-based play, yielding better data on who is gambling. The central monitoring system will be upgraded over two years; the existing infrastructure is outdated.
On advertising: VIP player programmes are banned, gambling ads are prohibited on state and council property, and direct marketing by operators — calls, email, SMS — will require explicit user consent. Affiliates and influencers face disclosure requirements and commission caps on high-risk products. No legislative timeline has been set.
