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The science of poker machines

Rare bright spot in an area dogged by lobbying and political backflips

An exemption that allowed hundreds of pubs and clubs to extend gaming between 4am and 10am has been clawed back by the Minns government.

  • Bevan Shields

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Cash often moves a portfolio toward the lower end of the expected return spectrum.

$179m a week or $1.1m per hour: The shocking numbers crushing Sydney

In the past three years, NSW punters have lost $27 billion through poker machines – equivalent to the cost of the massive Metro West rail project.

  • Bevan Shields
One of the 10 suspicious customers identified by AUSTRAC allegedly visited the club almost daily and habitually inserted large amounts of cash into the pokies without playing.

‘Prime targets’: The punters ‘washing’ tens of millions and the bosses in the firing line

A mega-club has admitted in court documents that it allowed suspicious customers to continue to play after flagging them with the financial crimes watchdog.

  • Harriet Alexander
As part of the St Ives Shopping Centre redevelopment, Sam Arnaout wants to develop a tavern.

The pokie king and the public land grab to expand a Sydney shopping centre

Iris Capital says its proposal hinges on it taking over laneways so the development can have more room for a gambling den.

  • Alexandra Smith and Harriet Alexander
Premier Joan Kirner opens the new poker machine venue at the Essendon Football Club Social Club at Windy Hill.

First-ever release of Victorian cabinet documents reveals pokies warning

Joan Kirner’s government approved the wider availability of machines across the state, setting the stage for a 30-year anti-gambling backlash.

  • Kieran Rooney
NSW Liberal Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane and Federal Liberal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley arrive at the NSW Liberal State Council Meeting in Sydney on Saturday.

Coalition casts doubt on Perrottet’s signature gambling policy

Cashless gaming was a key policy for former Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet in the 2023 election campaign.

  • Alexandra Smith and Harriet Alexander
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The Wentworth Hotel in Homebush West is the second most profitable hotel in NSW by gambling revenue.

‘Extremely serious’: Billionaire’s pub among Sydney venues found flouting laws

A Wynyard hotel allowed patrons to play poker machines during a shutdown period, a Paddington hotel disconnected three pokies from the tax calculator and the second most profitable hotel in NSW allowed its patrons to withdraw cash on credit.

  • Harriet Alexander
Poker machines: Isn’t it time they went?

Exemptions, loopholes and problem gamblers: Political party split on pokies

The NSW Coalition had a united stance on gambling before the 2023 election but the Nationals say any changes to rules around pokies must not hurt regional venues.

  • Alexandra Smith and Jessica McSweeney
Caitlin Marlor

‘Dead set against them’: The Labor heavyweights turning on their party over crucial reform

A new ginger group within Labor is demanding Anthony Albanese and Chris Minns take immediate action on gambling.

  • Alexandra Smith
Poker machines at Bankstown Sports Club, the second most profitable club by gaming revenue in NSW.

The mini casinos making a cash bonanza under ‘hardship’ exemptions

The second most profitable club in NSW is benefiting from a historical loophole that allows it to operate its poker machines during the riskiest hours for gambling harm.

  • Harriet Alexander