Power-down poker machines after midnight  -  Wesley Mission

The evidence is clear, gambling after midnight is a significant risk factor for harm. As far back as 2010, the Productivity Commission recommended the earlier closure of suburban poker machine venues in recognition of the increased risk of harm during late-night gambling. Successive reports, including the NSW Government’s own research, demonstrate that people already significantly harmed are over-represented in pubs and clubs after midnight.

There is no reason for suburban pubs and clubs to continue operating poker machines in the early hours of the morning, when we know people are at their most vulnerable. It is abundantly clear that a simple measure can prevent and minimise harm from late-night gambling. It is also clear that most NSW residents support this measure.
We’re calling for all poker machines in pubs and clubs to be turned off between midnight and 10am.

Sources
a)    ILGA Guideline 16  Late-night gaming applications
b)    NSW Government commissioned research into post-midnight gambling : Research into the late-night usage of electronic gaming machines – Liquor & Gaming NSW
c)    Shutdown periods for electronic gaming machines, RGF, Nov 2019: Shutdown periods for electronic gaming machines (nsw.gov.au)

Below is a conflicted quotation from The NSW Govt in c) above:

"Optimal shutdown period

> Late at night seems to be the best time to consider any shutdown. Gamblers identify that late-night play often occurs in an environment where the atmosphere is more intense compared to other times of the day, and there are a range of drawbacks identified by gamblers which are specific to late-night play.  MIDNIGHT IS "LATE AT NIGHT".

> A majority of gamblers appear to support the current time periods for the shutdown, though problem gamblers are most likely to believe that it should be shorter and at other times of the day. Based on the responses across the research, it would seem that this is largely driven by a desire to be able to gamble for longer periods without interruption.  A CONFLICTED, DISHONEST, DISINGENUOUS COMMENT

> A minimum shutdown period of four hours seems to be supported by most gamblers, although again problem gamblers are significantly more likely to believe that a shorter shutdown period is sufficient.

> Conceptually, all gamblers believe that a shutdown period that is longer and affects a greater number of people would be more effective in reducing harm, though in reality it seems clear that there would potentially be push-back against this if it started to affect more gamblers, particularly those at lower risk levels. Ultimately, most are happy for a shutdown to exist, provided it does not impact them personally."