Only two months ago, Western Plains App reported on the soaring profits of poker machines across the region. While the number of pokie machines and venues across the Western Plains remained the same, profits grew by more than $3,000,000.

Now, the Minns Government is introducing new measures in an effort to address problem gambling and local clubs will need to accommodate the changes.

Liquor and Gaming NSW data showed the 85 pokie machines across Bourke, Brewarrina, and Bogan Shires had shared increased their profit up $300,000 compared with the first six months of last year, with profits rising a whopping $1,000,000 higher since 2019.

Other areas continued the trend: Gilgandra/Coonamble area's pokie profits were up $700,000 for the same period.

The Minns Government has released details on plans to reduce the number of pokie machines in NSW by more than 3000 as well as reducing cash feed-in limits on new machines. The new limit will be $500, down from $5,000.

Cashless gaming machines are also on the radar. A Crime Commission report in 2022 found criminals were laundering billions of dollars in crime proceeds into poker machines in NSW pubs and clubs each year, with no effective controls or ability to prosecute those involved.

While that is in the future, gambling industry opponents have welcomed one new restriction.

Much like the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes, enticing external signage will now be banned. Pubs and clubs have until September 1st to remove illegal advertising. Images such as dragons, lightning bolts and coins will also no longer be able to be used on signage.

While this type of signage was always banned, Carol Bennett, CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform said clubs had previously got around it by using terms such as VIP Lounge.

"This will close that loophole," Ms Minns said. "It is a very welcome move and we need to address the normalisation of gambling."

New South Wales is second only to Las Vegas in poker machine numbers and as a state put over $8 billion per year through the pokies.

Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, said the reduction of poker machines in NSW was an important step forward but the hospitality industry also needed to be considered

“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,” he said.

But its black and white for Reverend Stu Cameron, CEO of Wesley Mission.

"We think that the poker machine signage outside our pubs and clubs is a blot on our landscape," he said.

Mr Cameron said every reform, such as removal of signage and lowering poker machine numbers has impact but there was a long way to go.

"There is much more to reduce gambling harm," he said.