Copacabana Bar, Zetland: Applications for gaming rooms, despite NSW pokies crackdown

Plans to add poker machines to a Brazilian beachside-themed bar in the heart of Zetland have sparked backlash, with fears it could lead to gambling harm in the neighbourhood.

Copacabana Bar Sydney 20 Gadigal Ave, Zetland. Picture: Instagram.

Plans to add poker machines to a Brazilian beachside-themed bar in the heart of Zetland has sparked concerns it could lead to gambling harm in the neighbourhood.

The owners of Zetland’s Copacabana Bar have lodged plans with the City of Sydney to spend about $10,000 adding five gaming machines to the restaurant in a move they say will help the business “operate and grow” and ”make a positive contribution to the economy and community”.

The bar opened last year and serves Brazilians delicacies, sweets and drinks.

Now, plans have been released to turn 8sq m of the venue into a gaming area with five poker machines which would have approval to operate as late as midnight.

The plan includes building a partition wall to separate the space from the indoor dining area.

Copacabana Bar, Zetland. Picture: Instagram.

Several residents have written to the City of Sydney objecting to the proposal.

Gary Poison in a submission argued the plan does “not align with the best interests of our neighbourhood and its residents”.

“Our community already has two pubs within walking distance of the proposed venue. The introduction of more poker machines in our area would only contribute to an oversaturation of gaming facilities, which can lead to social problems, including addiction and financial distress among vulnerable individuals,” he wrote.

“I firmly believe that this development, if approved, would have detrimental consequences for our community and goes against the best interests of our neighbourhood.”

Resident Alexa Wyatt has also opposed the development, writing “it is beyond depressing to think that the only option is gaming facilities”.

Plans state the development was in line with the site’s zoning which encourages “a range of retail, business, entertainment and community uses that serve the needs of people who live in, work in and visit the local area”.

The NSW government has reduced the number of entitlements available to operate gaming machines as part of its commitment to reduce pokies in the state. Footage from cameras at Crows Nest Hotel. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“The proposal will enable the owners to accommodate five gaming machines which will provide a wider range of entertainment to the local community and those who visit the local area.

“It is considered that the development is compatible with the character and intended current use of the site (and) will also encourage additional employment opportunities within the Copacabana Bar”.

The development includes a management and security plan in place to address any adverse impacts.

A representative for Copacabana Bar was contacted but declined to comment.

When asked about proposals to increase gaming rooms in the state, a spokesman for the Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris said that one of the government’s key election commitments was to “reduce the number of gaming machines in NSW”.

The spokesman said it had lowered the state cap on gaming machine entitlements by more than 3000 to reduce the amount of venues operating gaming machines.

The application will be determined by the City of Sydney, with the state government not involved in assessing the proposal.