Compliance campaign targeting hotels/clubs operating gaming machines outside their approved hours
As part of continued industry focus, Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) will conduct a targeted compliance campaign throughout November and December 2025, using Central Monitoring System (CMS) data, to identify venues operating gaming machines outside approved shutdown hours.
What you need to know
- As part of the Gaming Machines Act 2001 (the Act), registered clubs and hotels must not operate gaming machines between 4:00am and 10:00am daily, unless a formal variation has been approved by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA).
- These shutdown hours are listed on your liquor licence and cannot be changed, even if a six-hour break is maintained.
- The shutdown period is a key gambling harm minimisation measure aimed at reducing risks from prolonged gaming machine use.
All gaming machines are monitored via the CMS which detects and reports any operation during shutdown hours.
Non-compliance consequences
Venues found operating gaming machines during shutdown hours may face escalated enforcement action, especially for repeated or serious offences. L&GNSW recently released a statement regarding a Sydney hotel in breach of their shutdown hours.
Why this matters
Previous campaigns undertaken revealed common causes of non-compliance, including:
- staff clearing credits off machines through play
- cleaners or contractors unintentionally activating machines
- venues open for alcohol service allowing gaming machines to be operated outside of any approved gaming machine trading hours.
Venues are urged to review their procedures and ensure full compliance with shutdown requirements.
For more information or questions regarding gaming machine shutdown hours please contact the Hospitality Concierge at concierge@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au