Transition from pokies to live music venues requires more than $50K incentive
MusicNSW managing director Emily Collins has urged the NSW government to prioritise live music and performance over pokies.
Collins said a one-off payment to music venues should only be considered the tip of the iceberg as to what is required to transition away from pokies to live entertainment.
“It’s very different to just putting something in a corner and expecting people to show up,” Collins said.
The comments come after Premier Dominic Perrottet announced government’s $344 million gambling reform plan, which aims to remove cash from all poker machines by 31 December 2028.
The government hopes to reduce venues’ reliance on poker machine revenue, while curbing corruption in venues and reducing patron hardship and gambling addiction.
Perrottet’s pre-election pitch offers small- and medium-sized pubs and clubs an incentive to diversify its revenues through interest-free loans and one-off grants of up to $50,000.
The money would be used to invest in new income streams including live music, food and bowling greens.
While a positive move, Collins told WA Today venues would also require practical help in advice on how to program and schedule live music, pay performers, build and maintain relationships with artists, market and promote events, and with technology, such as sound engineering and lighting.
“It’s not just about money, it’s about jobs and skills. There are a lot of people who this will impact, not just musicians and venues, and we’re really keen to work with the government to get it right.”
Night Time Industries Association chief executive Mick Gibb was confident the transition will be made, citing venues’ resilience during the pandemic.
“It’s really about diversifying the nighttime experience, and I think we’re seeing more and more venues do that and provide entertainment,” Gibb said.
Pub owner Matthew Sen, who runs the Forest Lodge Hotel said it would take more than $50,000 to be able to open a live music venue.
While Sen has already been transitioning away from pokies, he told WA Today more money would be needed to sound-proof a band room, particularly in a residential area.
“I’m sure it will help some pubs, and if I can take advantage of it I will,” Sen said.
The Eveleigh Hotel’s shift manager Danny Leyland echoed the sentiment saying restrictions in residential areas will have an impact as live music venues in these areas could reasonably expect noise complaints.
“It has become really untenable. I’m not surprised many pubs would rather have pokies because they often make it very difficult for us,” Leyland said.
However, one success story has been the Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern which hosts live performances three nights a week and will soon introduce a fourth “without help from the government or pokies”.
“It’s definitely given a lot of stability to the business, and it gives you some consistency,” Ramblin’ Rascal bartender Charlie Lehmann said.
Jonathan Jackson - 13-2-23
