New South Wales will require facial recognition at all gaming room entrances from 2028 and launch a statewide self-exclusion register. The measures are part of a reform package that also covers machine numbers, marketing restrictions and online gambling harm.
The NSW Statewide Exclusion Register will replace the current venue-by-venue system, allowing players to bar themselves from all hotels and clubs with gaming machines across the state. Facial recognition will help police detect money laundering through gaming rooms. A third-party exclusion mechanism will also be introduced.
Machine cap
The reform accelerates the reduction of machine numbers. NSW currently has around 87,000 electronic gaming machines across roughly 2,100 venues. The trading surrender ratio will rise from one-third to one-half: for every two licences sold, one will be permanently cancelled. A 'declining cap' will lower the overall ceiling as licences leave circulation.
The package also prepares the state for account-based play. The government will upgrade the Centralised Monitoring System over two years so operators can offer account-based play voluntarily.
Marketing and affiliates
Marketing restrictions include a ban on VIP programmes linked to gaming machines and gambling advertising on state and local government assets. Bookmakers will not be able to contact customers by phone, email or SMS without prior consent. Affiliates and influencers face disclosure requirements, and commissions on high-risk products will be capped.
The reform costs AU$95.2 million ($68.31 million) over four years, funded by the gambling harm minimisation fund and increased licence fees. The 2024 NSW Gambling Survey found 3.1% of adults face moderate risk of problem gambling and 0.9% high risk.
