The licensee of a Sydney hotel has been fined after forcing patrons to exit the venue through a gaming room.
The Mortdale Hotel in Sydney’s south was fined $2250 after an inspection in August last year found the main bar’s exit door was locked and the only way to leave the hotel was through the gaming room.
The hotel’s licensee Paul Whitehead was convicted after pleading guilty to breaching the state’s gaming laws in Downing Centre Local Court last week.
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NSW gaming legislation requires that venues must provide a passage of exit and entry for patrons which does not require them to pass through a gaming room.
Liquor & Gaming NSW’s Jane Lin said the hotel’s actions put patrons at potential risk of gambling harm.
“These restrictions are in place to reduce the risks of gambling harm,” Ms Lin said.
“Apart from breaking the law, the licensee put patrons at potential risk of harm by compelling them to walk through the gaming room to leave the venue.
“As this case shows, licensees who fail to abide by gaming machine regulations can expect to be caught and prosecuted.”
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