By Andrew Starke
Publicans around New South Wales will have an extra incentive to back the Wallabies at this year’s Rugby World Cup – extended trading hours.
October is shaping up as a bumper month for those venues that have live sport central to their marketing proposition with the NRL Grand Final preceding rugby’s showpiece event.
The NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) has come to the party by approving extended trading hours for hotels and registered clubs for certain days during 2011 which coincide with significant sporting events.
The days and times that extended trading hours have been provided are:
- Sunday 2 October – midnight (instead of 10pm) for the NRL Grand Final
- Sunday 16 October and Sunday 23 October – midnight (instead of 10pm) for Rugby World Cup semi-finals and final, but only if Australia is playing.
The approval allows most hotels and post July 1, 2008 registered clubs to remain open until midnight for on-premises sales and consumption only.
It does not permit takeaway liquor sales during the extended trading hours period.
The approval does not override trading hour restrictions imposed by the Director-General or the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority (or the former Liquor Administration Board or Licensing Court).
The approval does not affect restrictions on trading hours imposed by local councils under planning laws.