Overview
- Gaming Minister David Harris said long‑running exemptions will be revoked to enforce a six‑hour daily shutdown as a harm‑minimisation measure.
- Venues have until 31 March 2026 to comply and can seek a variation under tougher Liquor and Gaming NSW conditions.
- Government‑commissioned research found about 70% of people gambling between 4am and 10am are high‑ or moderate‑risk gamblers.
- Roughly 20% of venues previously held exemptions for reasons such as tourism status or financial hardship, enabling extended late‑night trading.
- The decision follows pressure from Greens MP Cate Faehrmann and recent audits and charity analyses highlighting rising losses and weak oversight.