Earlier this year, New South Wales issued a new law that implemented 1:30am lockouts at clubs, pubs and bars across the state. Now, several clubs are seeking exemptions from the law, request lenience for their pokie lounges. In January 2014, the lockout law aimed to stop venues from accepting new patrons after 1:30am. The law would also prohibit venues from serving alcohol after 3am.
The goal was to help prevent alcohol-fuelled violence and other crimes. Club hopping is quite popular among partyers in New South Wales. In many cases, patrons will be kicked out of one club but they will continue partying at another one.
The new lockout law also prevents this, as this type of behaviour can lead to trouble in the nightlife scene. that it is no longer acceptable to go out and drink yourself stupid, take illicit substances, start fights, ‘coward punch’ people or engage in other assaults, thinking you won’t get away with it,” said Premier Barry O’Farrell, when the law was passed.
“From the point the legislation is passed, those days are over.” Now, several clubs across the state have requested exemptions from this law. Great Southern Hotel, Charlie Chans Bar & Bottle Shop, The Star Hotel, Scruffy Murphy's and The Colombian Hotel have all asked that exemptions to the law be applied to their pokie lounges. Only one club has requested an exemption for its actual bar, and that is Arq.
The venues state that opening up their pokie lounges from 1:30am to 5am would help to boost their profit margins. That is the time when most punters player pokies, and the new law is cutting them out. Since the patrons are only there to play pokies, the clubs are certain that the exemptions will not cause more alcohol-related violence.
According to the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing, the clubs will only be granted exemptions if they can be sure that it will not encourage more alcohol-fuelled violence and crime. The clubs must also implement new measures and safeguards to reduce the risk of violence.
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