The ACCC has approved Black Rhino Group Pty Ltd's (Black Rhino) acquisition of a hotel and bottle shops from Speedy Cocktails Pty Ltd and Barry John Waldron (Speedy Cocktails), subject to conditions that Black Rhino divests at least one bottle shop in Roma, Queensland to an ACCC-approved purchaser before completion.
Black Rhino and Speedy Cocktails are two of the three operators of bottle shops in Roma. The third operator is Australian Venue Co. Black Rhino also owns a pub-style hospitality venue in Roma, Royal on Ninety-Nine, while Speedy Cocktails owns Club Hotel Motel Roma.
The ACCC's Phase 1 review considered whether Black Rhino's acquisition from Speedy Cocktails could reduce competition in the supply of off-premises takeaway liquor and the supply of on-premises hospitality services in Roma.
The ACCC considered the acquisition could have the effect of substantially lessening competition in the retail supply of off-premises takeaway liquor in the town.
"We were concerned that the acquisition could substantially lessen competition by removing Speedy Cocktails as an independently owned and differentiated supplier," ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.
"Without the conditions, the acquisition would reduce the number of bottle shop owners in Roma from three to two, further increasing concentration in an already highly concentrated market."
The conditions require Black Rhino to divest at least one and up to two bottle shops before Black Rhino completes the acquisition from Speedy Cocktails.
"The divestiture remedy maintains the current level of competition between bottle shops in Roma. The acquisition may only occur after divestiture to a third player that the ACCC considers will continue to compete with Black Rhino and Australian Venue Co," Dr Williams said.
Further information, including the Phase 1 Determination and undertaking, are available on the ACCC's Acquisitions Register: Black Rhino - Club Hotel Motel Roma.
Background
Black Rhino operates hospitality venues across Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, specialising in gaming, wagering, family bistros, sports bars, retail liquor, entertainment, and accommodation. In Roma, Black Rhino operates Royal on Ninety-Nine (a pub-style venue) and a Bottlemart bottle shop.
Speedy Cocktails operates Club Hotel Motel Roma, which offers on-premises hospitality services, including dining, gaming, on-premises liquor and/or takeaway liquor services, function/venue services and a motel that provides short-term accommodation. Club Hotel Motel Roma also has an on-site drive-through bottle shop, Cellarbrations at Superstore Roma, and an associated detached bottle shop, The Northern Road Bottle Shop.
Merger control regime
Since 1 January 2026, it is mandatory for businesses to notify the ACCC of any acquisition that meets the notification thresholds set by the Minister. They must wait for ACCC approval before they can proceed.
Once notified, the notification is listed on the ACCC's Acquisitions Register and stakeholder consultation is invited. The ACCC is required to make a decision in 15 to 30 business days in its Phase 1 assessment, subject to any extensions, to either approve the acquisition or decide it is to be subject to a Phase 2 review.
More guidance on the new merger regime can be found on the ACCC's website: Guidance documents for the merger control regime.
