When will pokies reopen australia
When will pokies reopen australia
As of July 1, 2023 , all pokies and gaming venues in Australia have reopened, with some restrictions in place to ensure patron safety. Venues must adhere to the latest government guidelines, including:
- Density limits within venues
- Physical distancing measures
- Increased cleaning and sanitation
- Contact tracing measures
Patrons are encouraged to check with their local venues for specific details and any additional measures they may have implemented.
Pokies Reopening in Australia
Pokies are reopening in Australia, with most states and territories having already lifted restrictions.
In New South Wales, pokies reopened on 1 June 2020. In Victoria, pokies reopened on 22 June 2020. In Queensland, pokies reopened on 10 July 2020. In Western Australia, pokies reopened on 17 July 2020. In South Australia, pokies reopened on 24 July 2020. In Tasmania, pokies reopened on 15 August 2020. In the Northern Territory, pokies reopened on 1 September 2020.
However, there are still some restrictions in place in some states and territories. For example, in New South Wales, pokies are only allowed to operate at 50% capacity. In Victoria, pokies are only allowed to operate in venues with a valid gaming licence. In Queensland, pokies are only allowed to operate in venues that have a gaming machine permit.
Timeline for Pokies Reopening
Victoria:
October 26, 2020: Pokies reopen in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria with density limits and hygiene measures.
New South Wales:
June 15, 2021: Pokies reopen in regional NSW with density limits and hygiene measures.
June 26, 2021: Pokies reopen in Greater Sydney with density limits and hygiene measures.
Queensland:
July 2, 2021: Pokies reopen in Queensland with density limits and hygiene measures.
South Australia:
November 23, 2020: Pokies reopen in South Australia with density limits and hygiene measures.
Western Australia:
June 24, 2021: Pokies reopen in Perth and Peel regions with density limits and hygiene measures.
July 18, 2021: Pokies reopen in regional WA with density limits and hygiene measures.
Tasmania:
July 16, 2021: Pokies reopen in Tasmania with density limits and hygiene measures.
Northern Territory:
July 17, 2021: Pokies reopen in the Northern Territory with density limits and hygiene measures.
ACT:
September 27, 2021: Pokies reopen in the ACT with density limits and hygiene measures.
Guidelines and Restrictions for Reopened Pokies
As pokies reopen in Australia, several guidelines and restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of patrons and staff. These include:
- Limited capacity: Venues will operate at reduced capacity to allow for social distancing.
- Social distancing: Patrons must maintain a 1.5-meter distance from others.
- Hygiene measures: Hand sanitizer stations will be available, and staff will regularly clean and disinfect surfaces.
- Electronic payments: Contactless payments are encouraged, and cash handling will be minimized.
- Masks: Masks may be required in some venues, particularly in areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
- Health checks: Patrons may be asked to undergo a temperature check before entering a venue.
- No smoking: Smoking will not be permitted inside venues.
- Responsible gambling: Venues will implement responsible gambling measures, such as setting limits and providing support information.
- Time limits: Some venues may limit the amount of time patrons can spend playing pokies.
These guidelines and restrictions are subject to change as the situation evolves, so it is important to check with individual venues for the latest information.