Midnight, 11 October 2021 saw the end of Sydney’s lockdown for the vaccinated, with entertainment options opening up again, pokie enthusiasts will be thrilled to be able to get back to playing their favourite games.
Among the clubs that reopened their gaming lounges and other amenities are City Tattersalls, Wests Ashfield, Canterbury Leagues and Fairfield RSLA. The Easts Bondi Junction, for example, has advised that both its bar and gaming area, would operate from midnight until 06:00 while the establishment’s bistro will remain closed.
To celebrate the end of the lockdowns, several clubs have announced specials in the hopes of drawing crowds of the vaccinated to have a good time. Drinks will be almost half-off at City Tatts until the end of October with a $5000 cash draw for those who visit within the first five days.
Terms and conditions
Government legislation dictates that all visiting must be able to show proof of full vaccination. This requirement has raised the hackles of a few social media commenters, but was not met with any significant protest.
A spokesperson from ClubsNSW said that Sydney residents were eager to return to some semblance of normalcy after over 100 days in lockdown.
“While most clubs are opening during normal business hours tomorrow, a small number will open at 12.01 am in response to patron demand,” he said.
“People are understandably excited, as are club employees, many of whom haven’t worked since the end of June. It is also worth remembering that many clubs trade 24 hours a day in normal circumstances and always do so responsibly,” he added.
Pokie venues aren’t the only operations bracing for an influx of clientele. Businesses like hairdressers opened to fully booked chairs on Monday.
As part of its economic support initiative, the NSW government has postponed the due date for gaming machine taxes, giving clubs a break from paying gaming taxes for June-August until December 21. Hotels can similarly delay payment for April-September until January 21, 2022.
