Woolworths under fire as NSW pubs are investigated for free drinks offered to poker players

published

June 20, 2019 13:26:26

An investigation is underway on two hotels that would provide their customers with free alcohol to play poker machines.

Liquor and Gaming New South Wales has filed a lawsuit against practices in 2017 at the Westower Tavern West Ballina and the South Tweed Tavern on the North Shore of New South Wales.

The investigation involved supermarket giant Woolworths and the Alliance for Gambling Reform asked the company to withdraw from the poker machine business.

Both sites are operated by the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH), in which Woolworths holds a 75% interest.

Spokesman for the Alliance, Tim Costello, said the retailer was making big profits from the players.

"You should not be surprised when there is so much money easy to gain with drug addicts," he said.

"More than 10% of their profits come from pokies, over $ 20 billion in the last 10 years, which is really shocking.

"They should go out as Coles are out.

"Australia has the biggest gambling losses in the world, that's $ 1,000 per head for every baby, kid, student and person in Australia … and Woolworths is at the forefront of all that."

Allegations will be tested

Alcohol and NSW gambling said hotels could be fined more than $ 100,000 if they are found guilty of gratuitous alcohol.

Assistant Secretary Paul Newson said the "exhausting and comprehensive" investigation involved covert surveillance.

"It's … [the] For the first time, a disciplinary complaint of this nature has been filed with NSW and I understand at the national level, "he said.

"Surveys were carried out in 50 properties and we were finally convinced that there was a case to be dealt with in two properties.

"Our argument is that alcohol was illegally provided to slot machine players to encourage them to keep playing."

Mr. Newson said the allegations would now be verified by the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA).

Impact of gambling addiction

NSW Independent MP Justin Field said the authorities should throw the book out of any place found guilty of such offenses.

"These are not victimless crimes, and many people who suffer from gambling addiction have serious consequences for themselves and their families," he said.

"If this is encouraged by the sites, it will have very significant impacts on the communities and these individuals.

"It's actually a flagrant act. It violates the basic laws in this state to protect people from the worst impacts of these machines.

"I hope that the independent authority will use the powers it has, including by suspending or revoking these licenses."

The ALH Group was contacted for comments and provided the following written response:

The complaint filed today to the NSW Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) concerns the activities carried out in two of our hotels in 2017.

An independent review of management on responsible gambling practices in ALH was conducted in 2018.

As a result of the investigation, ALH has taken a number of steps to improve its responsible gaming practices.

As the matter is now before ILGA, we will not make any further comments at this stage.

Woolworths also provided a statement to the ABC that read as follows:

ALH is primarily interested in improving its responsible gaming practices and the quality of its services in hotels.

Topics:

money games,

hospitality,

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