The New South Wales Labor Government will consider a proposal to halve the number of poker machines across the state, as reported by Sky News. The move is aimed at addressing what proponents describe as escalating social harm.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has tabled a motion for debate at the NSW Labor Annual State Conference in July, calling for a reduction of the state’s 87,000 poker machines by at least 45,000 over a ten-year period. NSW currently has the highest number of poker machines per capita outside major casino hubs such as Macau and Las Vegas.
Mr Byrne said annual losses from poker machines in NSW had increased from AU$8bn to more than AU$9bn over the past year, with total losses reaching a record AU$9.3bn in 2025. He argued that much of the financial burden falls on working-class and lower-income communities.
“The human cost inflicted by poker machines in NSW cannot be swept under the carpet any longer,” he said, describing the scale of machines in the community as “obscene”.
The motion also proposes government-funded support programmes to help clubs and pubs transition away from reliance on gaming revenue towards live entertainment and other activities. Mr Byrne contends that a planned reduction would help revive the live music sector across Sydney and the wider state.
The proposal comes amid broader debate over gambling reform. Former premier Dominic Perrottet had previously sought to introduce mandatory cashless gaming machines, although the current Government has indicated it is unlikely to proceed with that measure following a trial.
While the Government has highlighted steps including reducing machine numbers by around 3,000 and tightening shutdown and cash input rules, some senior Labor figures argue stronger action is needed to align with the party’s social justice principles.
The motion will be voted on at the NSW Labor Annual State Conference in July
