NSW regulator sees link between late-night pokies and problem gambling

The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) is working to actively tackle problem gambling in the state. To do that, more statistical data is needed, and new research into problem gambling and late-night poker machines may now offer further evidence and guidance to solve the issue.

According to the paper called "Impact of Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) Late Night Play on EGM Player Behaviors," frequent users of pokies who play at night are more likely to be problem gamblers. The data has been collected from across New South Wales’ licensed poker machine venues and the survey itself was conducted by Roy Morgan Research.

The paper provides invaluable insight into understanding gambling patterns and behaviors with the ultimate goal of helping players by introducing the right regulatory measures.

One such measure has already been enacted, with venues that operate poker machines asked to remove outside signage that indicates there are gambling machines inside. ILGA Chairperson Caroline Lamb said that the study and research will be used to guide further decisions made by the regulator in a bid to protect vulnerable consumers.

The work comes at a time when ILGA had been looking closer into people who tend to play late at night or early in the morning and suspected a link between that behavior and gambling harm that later affects communities and families. This new research is set to now guide further policies, Lamb explained:

ILGA has implemented a number of measures to minimize gambling harm and address concerns about applications that increase the availability of gaming machines after midnight.

The regulator has already implemented Guideline 16, Lamb explained, which is designed to reduce gambling harm after midnight and ensure that consumers and businesses adopt a responsible conduct of gambling.

Guideline 16 expects from any applicant that seeks to obtain a gaming license to draft a comprehensive Gaming Plan of Management that specifically focuses on minimizing gambling-related harm on the premises of the future licensed operator. The study itself offered some reasons for concerns, discovering that people who already suffer from problem gambling are the vast majority of the people who also play late-night poker machines.

The study further delved into the fact that two-thirds of all people who play poker machines between 2 am and 8 am experience some form of negative consequence and are an example of why the guidelines on minimizing harm need to strengthen.

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