NSW slashes electronic gaming machine input limit tenfold

The government in NSW, Australia has mandated that, from July 1, the input limit of all new electronic gaming machines will be AU$500.

This is a tenfold drop on the current limit of $5,000.

NSW currently has the highest input limits in Australia, as established by Crime Commission’s Inquiry into Money Laundering via Electronic Gaming Machines in Hotels and Clubs, making it vulnerable to money laundering.

In a further move to reduce gambling-related harm, the NSW government is also reducing the number of poker machines able to be operated by the state by more than 3,000.

Pubs and clubs in the state need to have gaming machine entitlements to operate poker machines, which may be traded between venues.

“We promised the people of NSW that we’d reform the gaming sector in a way that reduced gambling harm while future-proofing the industry,” said the minister for gaming and racing, David Harris.

“One of these commitments was to reduce the number of poker machines in this state – and this is an important step forward.

“Further down the track, we’ll also be changing the GME forfeiture scheme so that for every two entitlements traded, one will be forfeited – which will see numbers drop at a faster rate.

“It’s important that as we navigate through these changes, we engage with industry so that we can ensure vibrancy of our hospitality and gaming industries.”