It’s no secret that in both Sydney and NSW, pokies are kind of a big deal. Gambling in this state has long been a hugely divisive issue, with the facts being that more than half of NSW adults gamble – with pokies alone contributing to NSW gamblers losing a hefty $7 billion every year. So it was welcome news that all pubs, clubs and venues with gambling facilities in NSW had to permanently remove all signs advertising gambling on the outside walls of their establishments.
Yep, you'll no longer see those words, motifs and signs that have long existed as unquestioned parts of Sydney and NSW’s streetscapes.
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Banned things include:
- ‘VIP Room’ and ‘VIP Lounge’
- ‘Golden Room’ and ‘Golden Lounge’
- ‘Player’s Room’ and ‘Players Lounge’
- Pictures of dragons
- Pictures of coins
- Lightning motifs
This reform is one part of the NSW Minns Government’s gambling reforms. They will also be:
- Banning political donations from gambling clubs
- Capping the amount of cash you can pop into a pokie machine at a time $500, instead of the previous $5,000
- Putting a cap on the amount of gaming machines allowed in circulation
- Putting ‘responsible gaming officers’ into venues that have more than 20 machines onsite
- Plus, a whole lot more…
If venues don’t comply with the new signage rules, we’re told there will be a $11,000 fine.
So, goodbye shiny dragon videos, and occasionally feeling like a D-grade celebrity when walking under a ‘VIP’ sign. It’s all for the best.