Sydney Clubs rush for extended trading hours
ABC Radio, 24 April 2002

Fairfield city Councillor Thang Ngo says there has been an increase in clubs applying for extended trading hours since the NSW Government's recent ban on 24 hour gambling on poker machines.

At a meeting last night, Councillor Ngo voted against an application by Club Marconi in Bosslye Park for 24 trading, with the council voting to extend trading hours from 2am until 5am.

The NSW Government banned 24 hour pokies earlier this month with machines having to be switched off between the hours of 6am and 9am.

Councillor Ngo says despite Fairfield having more poker machines than any other council area in NSW - clubs can still increase their hours of operation.

"We thought the State Government had moved to stop an increase in pokies but all we're finding is more and more clubs are applying for an increase in trading hours which only means more gambling in our area" he said.