Gambling harm experts back the NSW government’s move to close a loophole allowing pokie machines to run between 4am and 10am. Closing the loophole takes machines offline in those early morning hours at 659 venues across the state, with some pubs and clubs still pushing to keep the loophole open.
The University of Sydney gambling researcher Robert Heirene said people using machines between 4am and 10am tended to be most at risk of harmful gambling.
“Research has shown most people using pokies late at night are those at risk of gambling-related problems and harms,” Dr Heirene said.
“Revoking these exemptions represents an important and impactful step towards reducing the large burden of harms attributable to pokies in NSW.”
