Gaming reform on the cards in NSW as publican says it hurts food and beverage
A Sydney publican has called out the gaming industry for hurting the food and beverage scene.
James Thorpe has banned gaming machines across his three inner Sydney pubs and welcomed the Perrottet government’s reform to turn the state;s gaming machines cashless.
“My attraction to hospitality came because I really fell in love with food and beverage and creating unique spaces, and gaming is anathema to that,” Thorpe told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“It’s just this weird boil that’s grown on our part of the industry … when it should really have no connection to it.”
Gaming reform has become a significant election issue, with both parties flagging changes in the run up to the March election in NSW.
Labor has promised to cut the number of poker machines, instigate a trial (mandatory) on 500 gaming machines. It will also outlaw political donations from clubs that house poker machines.
Perrottet is planning a similar ban.
The NSW nationals are negotiating for possible exemptions for regional clubs and pubs. However, former federal National Party leader John Anderson has called on the party leader to back the reform.
Anderson believes regional communities will not suffer if cashless cards are made mandatory.
Thorpe told the SMH that anti gaming sentiment was continuing to gain momentum. His venues including the The Duke of Enmore and The Old Fitz in Woolloomooloo, which he bought under The Odd Culture Group, along with The Oxford Tavern, are pokie-free.
“In other global cities, where pubs are exalted institutions – without pokies – they exist to provide food, beverage and entertainment. If we remove gaming machines as this third profit centre, our pubs will get better,” he said.
“We know the community supports gaming reform. For a long time, we have had a unique obsession with gaming, but particularly younger generations are calling that historical quirk out for what it is, and it’s time to move on.”
Data published by Liquor and Gaming NSW shows just under 22,500 gaming machines in about 1200 pubs across the state. In the first half of 2022, pub pokies profited to the tune of $1.6 billion.
Across 1000 clubs, more than 64,000 machines brought in more than $2.2 billion in the six months to June last year.
23rd January 2023
