The ACT Greens are set to unveil a network of clubs that do not offer poker machines in Canberra. The move will come as part of an extensive package aimed at reducing the dependence of the community clubs on pokie-generated revenue.
For the time being, poker machine clubs play a significant role in Canberra, as so-called pokies are responsible for generating a considerable part of the clubs’ revenue. Under the newly-unveiled plan of the ACT Greens, a range of support initiatives is set to be offered so that local clubs are enabled with the chance to get back to the main community purpose. Apart from that, the new initiative will include encouragement of more clubs to remove their pokies in order to become less dependent on poker machine revenue.
The ACT residents can currently lose over AU$1,000 per hour while playing the controversial pokies, which is one of the highest rates existing on the territory of the country. The Greens also revealed they are to take further steps in order to reduce pokie-related harm throughout the suburban community clubs in Canberra.
The ACT Greens Gaming Harm spokesperson, Rebecca Vassrotti, explained that it was crucial for specific measures aimed at reducing the risk of gambling-related harm to be unveiled for individuals and families in the region. She further noted that the new package of initiatives highlights the need to implement adequate, evidence-based measures that are set to reduce the harm caused by gambling.
New Measures Aimed at Making Clubs Less Reliant on Pokie Revenue
The ACT Greens’ measures will include support for clubs that remove their poker machines to receive special subsidies from the Government, to offer a variety of safe entertainment opportunities in the region, to upgrade their kitchens, and provide special concert and performance halls so that they are not reliant on pokie revenue, and to better support various communities in Canberra.
Apart from that, the ACT Greens have revealed plans to pursue the further reduction of the number of licences granted to Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) in the state to 3,000 from the current commitment of 4,000 licences. The local political party also plans to implement stricter harm-minimisation measures by imposing AU$5 bet limits and AU$1,000 load-up limits by the end of 2022 at the latest.
As explained by the ACT Greens Gaming harm spokesperson, the party had been having consultations with local clubs and had been taking into account the difficulties that had been faced by these businesses. Ms Vassarotti further noted that the comprehensive package unveiled by the political party came as its efforts to make the local clubs a safer place for everyone in the community.
The leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury, confirmed that currently, community clubs were a crucial part of the social life in Canberra, with more clubs becoming increasingly dependent on the revenues generated by pokies. However, Mr Rattenbury said that relying on gambling addicts to spend all their money on such businesses was not right, as such a business model was not sustainable.
He further noted that people facing gambling-related harm felt some relief during the coronavirus lockdown, when poker machine venues were forced to cease operation, despite the move caused significant financial difficulties to many of the establishments. That was exactly why the ACT Greens have unveiled their plan to heal the reliance of many local businesses on pokies so that the machines are not necessary for them to survive.
- Author
Daniel Williams
