Questions have been raised over the impacts and benefits of poker machines in the Bega Valley.
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Last week, the Bega District News reported on information released by Greens MLC for NSW Justin Field showing punters lost over $21 million on poker machines at the Valley’s clubs in just one year.
On Thursday an online poll attached to the report found 67 per cent of respondents thought poker machines should be removed from clubs and pubs in NSW.
While the Tathra Hotel is currently undergoing renovations, when it reopens it will be one local venue without gambling.
“Tathra is saturated with machines,” the hotel’s owner Cliff Wallis said.
“We basically think we can make more out of accommodation than out of gambling.
“I have heard about someone who was living rough and inherited a lot of money, but most of it went through the pokies in Tathra.”
He made the decision to remove the hotel’s 12 poker machines partly because they were not doing too well, and he was told the way to make them more profitable would be the “smoking solution” – keeping the machines outdoors so punters could smoke while they gamble.
But some revenue generated from poker machines does benefit the community, through the ClubGRANTS program which gives funding to community groups, charities and sporting teams across NSW.
The program started in 1998, and since then NSW clubs have given more than $1 billion to a variety of recipients.
“Locally, Bega Valley clubs allocated $98,191.80 in category 1 ClubGRANTS,” a ClubsNSW spokesperson said. “NSW clubs are not-for-profit, meaning any profit generated must go back to the community or into club infrastructure.”
They said clubs with annual poker machine revenue above $1 million receive a 2.25 per cent tax rebate for ClubGRANTS contributions made to not-for-profit community groups, charities and sporting organisations.
“Many clubs contribute more than this even though they only receive a rebate on the first 2.25 per cent,” the spokesperson said.
“It should also be pointed out that clubs with gaming turnover of less than $1 million also give back to their communities, even though they are not eligible for the ClubGRANTS rebate.”
Mr Wallis said renovations at his hotel were “coming together well”, but as yet has no date set for completion.