The Australian Capital Territory regulates gaming machines through the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission under the Gaming Machine Act 2004. Canberra and surrounding suburbs have a network of licensed clubs that operate the majority of gaming machines in the territory.
Unlike many other states, the ACT has a strong club-dominated pokies sector, with community clubs, sporting clubs and RSLs accounting for most venues. The ACT government has progressively reduced the cap on total machine numbers in the territory as part of harm minimisation policy. Hotels in the ACT do not have gaming machines - only clubs are licensed to operate them.
Opening hours: ACT gaming venues are generally permitted to operate pokies from 10am to around 2am, subject to individual licence conditions.