A new Australian study has uncovered a significant link between late-night poker machine play and problematic gambling, with rates of severe gambling issues surging during overnight hours.  

The research, The Impact of Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) Late Night Play on EGM Player Behaviours, found that severe gambling problems rise progressively with later hours, peaking between 2am and 8am, where 22.6% of players exhibited severe gambling issues. Additionally, 41.8% of gamblers during this time frame were classified as being at moderate risk of gambling-related harm.  

The study highlighted a stark contrast in problematic gambling rates throughout the day:  

• 3.1% of players exhibited severe gambling problems between 8am-10pm.  
• The rate increased to 7.3% between 10pm-12am, 12.1% between 12am-2am, and more than doubled to 22.6% after 2am.  

“This group of EGM gamblers would benefit greatly from venue closures, through an enforced break from EGM gambling,” the study concluded, adding that late-night players often gamble more frequently, spend more money per session, and are more likely to gamble alone.  
 
Almost two-thirds of poker machine players between 2am and 8am reported significant negative consequences linked to their gambling behavior. The study highlighted that these individuals tend to frequent more types of venues, participate more intensively, and join multiple loyalty schemes, all of which are associated with heightened risks.  

In response, the Australian government is examining the study’s findings as part of broader gaming reforms. Officials have already pledged an additional A$10 million ($6.49 million) annually to the Responsible Gambling Fund to support harm reduction programs.  

The reforms aim to address escalating gambling-related harms, with measures expected to mitigate risks for vulnerable players during high-risk hours.