The head of one of SA’s biggest hotel groups says it’s elitist to exclude pokies as venues reopen
You can go to Bunnings or have a beer in the front bar but you still can’t play the pokies? That’s a double standard, says pub owner Peter Hurley.
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Pub baron Peter Hurley says it’s “mystifying” and elitist that pub gaming rooms have not been included in current relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.
Pubs have been able to trade on limited terms since Friday and from next Monday will be able to have up to 80 customers on a premises at one time, but gaming rooms will remain closed.
In a post from his wife Jenny on LinkedIn, Mr Hurley says this makes no sense.
“It is mystifying as to why gaming is not included in the gradual reopening of hospitality and entertainment,’’ he says.
“Bunnings and supermarkets have hundreds of customers and tens of thousands of stock items being touched by customers.
“Gaming rooms could have a maximum of 20 customers and 20 machines to be sanitised.
“Elitism manifests itself in many different forms. I guess the online untaxed and unregulated operators are delighted.’’
Mr Hurley, whose Hurley Hotel Group owns venues such as the Arkaba, Marion Hotel and Port Lincoln Hotel, declined to elaborate when contacted by The Advertiser.
Australian Hotels Association SA general manager Ian Horne said the industry was not pushing to reopen straight away, despite the vital role gaming machines played in the profitability of hundreds of venues, and the expectation was that gaming would be included in the next phase of the easing of restrictions – expected to be in late June.
Mr Horne said New South Wales and Northern Territory gaming rooms were reopening next week but the AHA was not calling for that.
“We’ve already started discussions with South Australia Police, the liquor and gambling commissioner ... their major concern is for hygiene,” he said.
Mr Horne said the COVID-19 shutdowns had boosted unregulated online gambling operators.
“I’m confident that it (reopening of gaming rooms) will be very much part of Stage Three,’’ Mr Horne said.
Adelaide Casino general manager David Christian ‘liked’ Ms Hurley’s post on Linkedin.
The casino, which employs about 1000 people, has had to close as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“SkyCity recognises and respects the phased reopening plan for the state, although we are also keen as one of South Australia’s largest employers to get our workforce back on site,’’ Mr Christian said later.
South Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Ross Womersley said for many people with a gambling problem the closure of the pokies had been a welcome respite.
“We have certainly heard accounts that it’s been an absolute blessing for some people,’’ he said.
Mr Womersley said the current crisis could also present an opportunity for the government to revisit commitments made previously to reduce poker machine numbers, and poker machine licensing in general.
A State Government spokeswoman said, as was foreshadowed on Monday, opening the casino and gaming rooms will be considered for the next phase of relaxations.