Research plan: Research into late night electronic gaming machine usage

Liquor & Gaming NSW, on behalf of the Responsible Gambling Fund, has commissioned Roy Morgan Research to undertake research to profile the NSW Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) player population and understand the impact of late-night EGM play on gambling behaviour and at-risk gamblers. This followed an increase in licence applications seeking an extension to late-night EGM hours of operation. The research has commenced and is funded by the Responsible Gambling Fund. The insights and evidence will be used to inform Liquor & Gaming NSW’s evidence-based regulatory decision-making.

A survey comprising a representative cross-section of the NSW electronic gaming machine player population will be undertaken. This survey will ask respondents about the last nine months of EGM player behaviour to capture behaviour following the re-opening of EGM venues in November 2021.

Specifically, the research will provide insight and evidence on:

• the profile of those who regularly engage in late night play, particularly post-midnight
• the extent of displacement to nearby venues which have later trading hours, should a venue close
• demand from late-night workers for recreational play during this period and the Problem Gambling Severity Index profile of the shift worker community.

You can find out more detail on the research project in the Research Plan PDF, 270.57 KB.

There has been a delay in analysis and reporting and a peer reviewed report will be made available in early 2023.