Lawrenson Group chief executive John Lawrenson is not taking any chances with broadband connection tonight after many of his 13 Hamilton bars were left without eftpos during last week's semi-final celebrations.
Mr Lawrenson believes Vodafone's broadband service failed at 1am last Sunday, just as revellers were in full swing at many of his central business district bars.
"In some of our bars the internet was out for the rest of the night."
It meant punters couldn't buy drinks or even pay the $5 cover charge at The Outback Inn without cash.
"Most of our customers don't carry cash. We would have done a $25,000 night but we lost about $12,000. We had to let 500 people in for free."
