A Sydney licensed venue has had its liquor licence cancelled after becoming the first venue in the State to incur a third strike under the NSW Government’s Three Strikes disciplinary scheme, Minister for Hospitality, George Souris, announced today.

Mr Souris said Gold Music Box Karaoke bar at Belmore has received a third strike and has been stripped of its licence by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) on recommendation from the Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing (OLGR).

“This is the first venue to incur a third strike since the introduction of the Three Strikes disciplinary scheme on 1 January, 2012 and is a clear warning to all licensed venues that repeated offences will incur strikes, affecting a venue’s operations and eventually its existence,” Mr Souris said.

“ILGA has also disqualified the licensee of the business and the business owner from holding a licence for at least 12 months.”

Since the Three Strikes disciplinary scheme began there have been 76 strikes recorded against 72 venues, including one third strike and three second strikes. This includes 17 first strikes and one second strike against venues in the City of Sydney local government area.

“The scheme has provided unprecedented incentive for licensees across NSW to strengthen alcohol and security management and compliance with the liquor laws through the real threat of loss of licence.