The Australian Hoteliers Alliance wrote to the Premier, Mr Carr, yesterday complaining that proposed legislation to cap poker machine numbers temporarily was unfair, retrospective and undemocratic. At least nine applications have been lodged for hotel developments in shopping centres - some of which have been approved by the Land and Environment Court. The Government is likely to introduce amendments to the Liquor Act in the next two weeks to cap poker machine numbers after widespread criticism that it has encouraged gambling as a soft tax option.
Licensed clubs are also unhappy with the proposed legislation.
Clubs NSW is seeking legal advice about recovering millions of dollars spent by up to 300 licensed clubs on renovations after Mr Carr last year promised not to limit poker machine numbers. The clubs believe Mr Carr's decision to reverse his stand has wrong-footed the club industry, which they say is already suffering unprecedented competition from hotels since they introduced poker machines. Clubs NSW said 20 per cent of its member clubs had spent millions on capital works. Privacy Policy Copyright 2000. The Sydney Morning Herald.