The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority has welcomed new research showing a significant link between late-night poker machine gamblers and problematic gambling behaviour across the state's licensed venues.
ILGA chairperson Caroline Lamb said the Authority had been concerned for some time about the impact of late night and early morning gaming on individuals, families and communities.
"As part of our statutory obligation to minimise gaming related harm, ILGA will make use of the study's conclusions to inform future decisions," Ms Lamb said.
"ILGA has implemented a number of measures to minimise gambling harm and address concerns about applications that increase the availability of gaming machines after midnight.
"We have developed Guideline 16 to help gaming venues reduce gambling harm after midnight and foster the responsible conduct of gambling.
"This includes a preference that all gaming related applications are required to be accompanied by a Gaming Plan of Management that contains a raft of measures designed to support licensees to minimise gambling relating harm in venues.
"ILGA also imposes licence conditions on gaming-related applications to mitigate risk of gambling-related harm."
The Impact of Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) Late Night Play on EGM Player Behaviours study found gambling harm increased considerably for those playing poker machines into the late evening and early morning hours.
It found that people with gambling problems represent the majority of late-night poker machine players. Almost two thirds of people playing poker machines between 2am and 8am experience significant negative consequences.
The study was funded by the NSW Government's Responsible Gambling Fund, with support from Liquor & Gaming NSW, and conducted by Roy Morgan Research.
Anyone struggling with their gambling can contact GambleAware on 1800 858 858 or gambleaware.nsw.gov.au for free help and support.
