The Australian Hotels Association NSW is pleased there is now a pathway for hotels in NSW to operate Entain wagering lounges.
This follows recent confirmation from Liquor & Gaming NSW the existing Ladbrokes operations in participating venues inspected, at this point in time, do not contravene NSW wagering legislation.
Tabcorp had claimed the wagering lounges may breach NSW law and also undermine TAB Limited’s retail wagering exclusivity.
“We’re extremely pleased there is now a pathway for NSW hotels to legally operate Ladbrokes or Neds wagering lounges.” AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said.
“The AHA NSW looks forward to working closely with Liquor & Gaming NSW in the future to ensure current and future Ladbrokes or Neds wagering lounges in NSW hotels comply with NSW law.”
Mr Whelan said appropriately, Liquor & Gaming NSW assessment regarding compliance with relevant laws, including those which prohibit wagering inducements and hotels from being used as gambling premises, will be ongoing.
“For NSW pubs this has always been about competition and choice.” John Whelan said.
“This provides a pathway for hotels seeking to further expand their promotion of racing in NSW.”
Mr Whelan said there are 449 NSW hotels currently without any wagering offering at all.
“Many would like to promote racing, but have not been able to due to the prohibitively high cost of operating a Pub TAB,” he said.
“Other NSW pubs currently with a Pub TAB will now have the opportunity to add a Ladbrokes or Ned’s offering and promote racing through both Tabcorp and Entain.” Mr Whelan said.
The AHA NSW now looks forward to further promoting Ladbrokes and Ned’s to its 2000 hotels.
Examples of NSW Hotels with Ladbrokes Lounges are attached and also shown below.
*Entain is the operator of Ladbrokes and Neds in Australia.
This release replaces an earlier release issued today.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jason Bartlett, 0433 95 46 57
