Vegas at Waverley Gardens shut down for operating without pokies licence

A pokies venue which backs AFL giant Hawthorn has been dramatically closed down for operating without a licence.

Officers from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation raided the Vegas at Waverley Gardens club at 7pm on Thursday, forcing punters to leave.

The venue’s licence had expired – and management had been told to close by 5pm and remain shut until a renewal application had been approved.