Western Australia's Minister for Racing and Gaming says the state government will crack down on sly grogging after launching a banned drinkers register in the Goldfields.
A total of 34 licensees have signed up for the trial, which requires all customers to scan photo ID to buy takeaway alcohol.
New technology in liquor stores displays a green light if the sale can proceed or a red light if the individual is a banned drinker.
People are placed on the register by a police-issued prohibition order or a barring notice.
The banned drinkers register, initially rolled out at a few venues in the northern Goldfields in December, was expanded to include Kalgoorlie-Boulder this week.
The Liquor Stores Association of WA says 69 people have been added to the register in the Pilbara since the initial trial began in December 2020.
The Kimberley has added 68 people to its register since the start of its trial last year.
There are just 14 people are on the Goldfields register but that is expected to increase over time.
Racing and Gaming Minister Tony Buti says it is “premature” to ask if the program will be rolled out across the state and will first await the results of an independent evaluation by the University of WA.
Mr Buti admitted one of the big concerns for the state government is sly grogging.
"We will need to look at how we can prevent or reduce the on-selling of alcohol to people who are on the registry,” he said.
“There are two issues – legislation and enforcement.
“Enforcement is going to be difficult, but of course you need the legislative tools to assist that."
Recent case highlights concerns
It comes after a 72-year-old Kalgoorlie taxi driver was last month fined $4,000 after bootlegging port and cask wine.
The Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court heard Rudolf Emunts Vidins was illegally selling large quantities of liquor out of the boot of his car.
The former taxi driver, now a pensioner, pleaded guilty to selling the liquor at a significant mark-up, in breach of the Liquor Control Act.
Magistrate Genevieve Cleary told Vidins that, as a taxi driver, he should have known the "havoc" alcohol creates in the community.
She said the fine was substantially lower than the $20,000 maximum penalty because she believed it was a "one-off" incident.
Liquor stores welcome trial
The start of the Goldfields trial has been welcomed by the industry, including the owner of the Menzies Hotel which sells takeaway alcohol in the small town.
“I’ve been using it for eight weeks now,” publican Sudhir said.
“I think it’s a good initiative.”
Kalgoorlie liquor store owner Chris Devlin thinks it is a simple system.
"It's only been running for a little while, but so far it's a very smooth," he said.
"It's a very simple process and it's very easy for us to manage.
