VICTORIA CRACKS THE WHIP ON GAMING REFORM
The Victorian Government has ramped up its gaming reform policies, with a major announcement and a crackdown on venues by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC). With the ink still drying on the state’s new EGM surrender scheme
DIXON EXITS NSW VIA COURT HOUSE
Michael Dixon’s Athena Group has listed its only operation in New South Wales, the Court House Hotel in Murwillumbah. The two-storey pub occupies an 898sqm lot, providing public bar, bistro, gaming with 21 EGMs, beer garden and 21 accommodation rooms.
SIGNATURE WIN IN US SPORTS BARS
Up-and-coming pub baron James Sinclair has big plans for his rapidly growing Signature Hospitality, finding a win in American-style sports bars and set to open the group’s 50th venue. 38-year-old Sinclair is chief executive of Signature Hospitality, founded with business
ILGA PAUSES GAMING APPLICATIONS AFTER LOSING SUPREME COURT RULING
The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) has put gaming machine applications on hold, pending the outcome of a successful challenge by a hotelier in the Supreme Court that throws doubt on conditions placed on gaming rooms. Jim Knox’s pubs
WARATAH PUTS UP 99
Waratah Hotels has decided to divest the acclaimed Royal on 99 in south-east Queensland to focus on core assets closer to the rest of the collection. In November 2014 the Royal on Ninety-Nine burned down in a major fire. It
FAMILIES FLOCK TO NEW HOTEL SEVEN HILLS
Kent and Les Walker’s Lesday has unveiled the revised Hotel Seven Hills, bringing a “Grand Reopening” after an extensive overhaul. Across the weekend locals and guests filed through Seven Hills’ latest attraction to see the significant upgrades and changes injecting
LEGENDARY LANSDOWNE POISED FOR UPSIDE
The legendary good-time Lansdowne Hotel in Chippendale has been listed for sale, rocking multiple levels of opportunity. Long known as an institution of live music and pub rock, after 82 years hosting thousands of bands, the big hotel on City
KELLY’S DOUBLE-SHOT IN SCONE
Kelly & Co Hotels has exited Scone, selling the Belmore Hotel to the same growing Hunter Valley group that recently bought the nearby Royal Hotel. The Belmore is an impressive suburban local, with sandstone exterior and original pressed tin ceilings.
MELBOURNE BIER CAFÉ REBORN AS MORRIS HOUSE
Australian Venue Co has this week relaunched the rebranded Morris House, following a transformational multi-million-dollar renovation. The all-new four-level Morris House boasts a bright new-look exterior, entertainment on multiple levels, fine dining and outdoor areas, including a terrace and expansive
ACCUSATIONS HISTORIC ROYAL OAK PARRAMATTA FELLED FOR ‘NO REASON’
Accusations have surfaced suggesting the former government mishandled works around the historic 200-year-old Royal Oak Hotel of Parramatta, demolished to make way for a new light rail. There has been a hotel on the site, on the corner of Church
