Closing the Bricklane Gaming Lounge
Shutting down the gaming lounge at Bricklane wasn’t a snap decision—it was a complex call with multiple layers to it. But what brought it to the top of the priority list, and sped it along, was something very clear-cut: health and safety. When you’re responsible for a public venue, you can’t afford to ignore risks, and in this case, those risks meant taking action sooner rather than later.
Health and Safety First
The immediate impetus for closure was ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone on site—staff, customers, and contractors. This wasn’t about ideology or long-term strategy in the first instance. It was about dealing with practical hazards that couldn’t be brushed aside. Once those concerns were on the table, the timeline for a decision shortened dramatically.
Aligning with a Family-Friendly Vision
The closure also aligns with the direction Bricklane has been heading for some time. As a family-friendly hospitality venue, its focus is on creating an environment where people of all ages feel welcome—whether they’re there for a meal, a function, or a casual drink. Removing the gaming lounge supports that goal and fits with the broader push from the Portage Licensing Trust over this term to lift hospitality standards and offer spaces that truly serve their communities.
The Financial Reality Still Matters
That said, it would be unrealistic to pretend the financial implications weren’t part of the discussion. Gaming lounges like Bricklane’s are steady revenue streams. They help underpin the venue’s bottom line and, in turn, support staffing, operations, and investment in other parts of the business. Closing one means losing that income and figuring out how to make up for it elsewhere.
The Community Give-Back Link
Pokies also feed into the community give-back model through The Trusts Community Foundation (TTCF). The funds they generate help support sports clubs, cultural groups, and grassroots projects across our area. Shutting down a gaming lounge inevitably reduces that pool, which is something we know will be felt by some community organisations.
The ‘Choice’ Viewpoint
There are people who see gaming as a matter of personal choice—entertainment like any other, where the decision to play lies with the individual. For others, the harm from problem gambling outweighs any arguments about choice, particularly in communities where deprivation and social stress are already high.
My Own View on Gaming
Personally, I’ve always had ideological concerns about pokies. I’ve seen first-hand how gambling harm can hollow out households, create financial stress, and compound the challenges already faced in our community. Much like alcohol, I think it’s an area where we need more restrictions, not less. That doesn’t mean I ignore the financial role gaming plays for venues and community funding—but for me, the social cost often outweighs the benefit.
Balancing Immediate Risks and Long-Term Direction
Ultimately, the health and safety issues meant we had to act quickly. But the closure also prompts bigger questions about our long-term direction—how we balance financial stability with social responsibility, and what sort of hospitality experience we want to provide in the future. For Bricklane, this decision reinforces a clear identity as a family-friendly venue. For the Portage Trust, it’s another step in a wider journey to deliver hospitality spaces the community can be proud of.
