Laundy Hotels’ Chittaway Bay hotel, on the Central Coast, has been hit with gaming operation breaches during a renovation, following investigations by Liquor & Gaming NSW.
Built in 1985, the coastal pub was undergoing a major makeover toward the end of 2022.
Inspectors visited in November, noting that an ATM, which had been relocated during the course of the works, was allegedly in the same area where gaming machines were kept, in breach of the Gaming Machines Regulation Act 2019. Also, it was found that the topper of a gaming machine could be seen from the street.
The venue was told inspectors would return.
When they revisited in December, with builders onsite and works delayed, the inspectors found they could not access the ATM via the front door, which was currently inaccessible. This meant to access the cash machine patrons were compelled to pass through the gaming room.
A somewhat inflammatory article appeared in the local newspaper, squarely putting the blame on licensee Dianne Walsh and proclaiming she will “face charges in court” over the alleged breaches.
Laundy Hotels are no newcomers to pubs with gaming and report that the group gaming manager had recently visited all the group’s venues to ensure compliance, but admit that to the strictest letter of law they had made an error and plan to accept it and move on.
However, group operations manager Nick Tindall – in charge of the Chittaway reno – laments that they weren’t able to discuss the unusual and temporary situation with inspectors.
“It’s a ‘lesson learned’ from us,” says Tindall. “Even though you think you’ve got things in order, keep track of everything while you’re renovating.”
The disparaging article in Coast Community News did not reflect the regulator’s position of regulation and working with industry to achieve a better outcome, but worse, Tindall confirms Laundy Hotels were not contacted for comment or context.
Instead, in a case of anti-gaming click bait, the licensee was vilified as guilty of crimes, or at very least negligence, when the circumstances had been largely beyond her control on the day.
“She’s one of our best, and she’s all over this stuff,” states Tindall.
The matter is due to be heard later this month in Downing Centre Local Court.
