Cask wine sales ban trialled at Adelaide CBD bottle shops to curb alcohol-fuelled violence – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

Authorities are monitoring the impact of a trial ban on the sale of cask wine in Adelaide’s city centre, which has been introduced to curb alcohol-fuelled violence. 

The month-long trial includes a ban on sales of casks of fortified wine, and of all wine in casks of four or five litres, at CBD liquor outlets, including pubs and bottle shops.

Caps on the sales of spirits have also been imposed to limit customers to a 1 litre-bottle — or two, 700-millitre bottles — per day.

The trial began on Good Friday at the behest of the liquor and gambling commissioner, Dini Soulio, who said it was intended to reduce “anti-social behaviour as a result of excessive liquor consumption”.

“The four-week trial was introduced with the support of the state government’s safety and wellbeing taskforce, and is currently being evaluated,” he said in a statement.

Similar restrictions are in place in other South Australian locations, such as Port Augusta, Whyalla and Ceduna.

The commissioner will this week meet with senior police and the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) to discuss whether the ban should continue and, potentially, be strengthened.