A Darwin hotel has been ordered to suspend takeaway alcohol sales for two days after failing to enforce the Northern Territory's Banned Drinker Register (BDR) on close to 200 occasions.
The Northern Territory Liquor Commission found the Hidden Valley Tavern sold alcohol without scanning people's identification 192 times over a six day period between December 9 and December 15.
In the NT, anyone purchasing takeaway alcohol are required to have their identification scanned to ensure they're not on the BDR that forbids them buying liquor.
People are listed on the BDR register for a range of offences — including committing alcohol-related domestic violence and drink driving — and are barred from buying grog.
The commission said three employees had failed to scan customers' identification, because of a "complacent attitude".
"[The staff] said it was not a deliberate decision to provide liquor to a known banned drinker but rather due to a complacent attitude toward regular customers and a desire to provide prompt service," the commission said.
"[We] accept that each of these employees were genuinely remorseful. They each offered to tender their resignations but the licensee has decided to keep them on."
The commission said the issue seemed to be a "systemic failure" at the Tavern.
"It became clear that these breaches were not a one-off event over this particular week," the commission said.
"It may be that the pressure on staff was greater at this particular time in the lead-up to the festive season.
"It is impossible to ascertain the extent and for what prior period these breaches had been occurring."
The tavern's owners, JTR Investments, has been ordered to suspend takeaway sales over a weekend later this month.
