The real rub in this, particularly in the wonderful world of the US FAA, is Weather Minima is visibility and ceiling.....and has no concern about whether there is a visible horizon or adequate surface light reference to manually control the helicopter (under Part 91 Rules).
A well known Arabian Gulf Oil Company, whose aviation department was an off shoot of the existing PHI operation, used that in their decision to buy Bell 212's. they opted to add Air Con but removed the previously contracted Sperry Helipilot system in order to save weight and costs. They eventually removed the Air Con's to reduce the weight of the aircraft further. Not that the crews were sweating enough in the dark over water with no horizon in an un-stabllized helicopter.
They predicated that decision upon the idea that night flights offshore conducted in good VFR weather was not of the character to require an autopilot or even Stability Augmentation.
Never mind on a hazy night there might not be any kind of horizon visible for quite some time....thus requiring the flight to be made using Instruments alone.
I was so impressed with that amazing management wisdom that I decided to use my current Sign In name......"Sasless".
Sadly, I have never been surprised by the utter stupidity some Helicopter Flight Department Managers can display. Every now and then you do run into a situation that so impresses you that you have to find a way to commemorate superior achievement in that endeavor.
Just because the Law or Regulation or even Company Policy tells you a flight can be conducted VFR at Night....that does not make it a VFR flight.
If you cannot see a horizon by looking outside the windows....and you have to maintain control of the aircraft SOLELY by use of the flight instruments.....you are IMC and should be flying IFR with all the required kit, crew, training, and infrastructure.