Sydney Pokie Venues Made Exempt From Lockout Laws

Sydney party-goers have been up in arms about the lockout laws at clubs and bars since their introduction last year.

But none have suffered more than the businesses operating within the CBD with the ban on serving alcohol costing them dearly. 

And now, according to Fairfax, some select venues in Sydney have been made exempt from the 1.30am lockout, to allow patrons to gamble on poker machines. 

Some of the seven venues that have been excused from the lockout laws include City Tattersalls, Scruffy Murphys, Cheers Bar And Grill, Charlie Chans and the Radisson Hotel. 

City Tattersalls Chief Executive Tony Guilfoyle said the lockout has hurt his club "socially and financially."

Figures released last week reported that alcohol-fuelled violence in the city has decreased by 40 percent.