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Wednesday May 23, 2012

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AFL relies on poker machine ca$h?

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 26 September, 2011 - 8:34 AM
Battle over poker machines heats up

Scroll down for Andrew Wilkie and Andrew Demetriou's interviews with Neil Mitchell

UPDATE: Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has accused Collingwood president Eddie McGuire of changing his tune about poker machines.

McGuire supported pre-commitment last year but is now attacking the move - describing it as a "footy tax".

It comes as AFL clubs meet to discuss plans to join the NRL in a new campaign against the reforms.

Senator Xenophon says McGuire's stance is irresponsible.

TOM ELLIOTT: I’d like to discuss the unhealthy addiction many AFL Clubs have to poker machines.

As many of you would be aware, Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie is currently pressuring the Gillard Govt to introduce national limitations on poker machine gambling. Mr Wilkie wants pokie players to pre-commit to a set limit, which he hopes will reduce catastrophic losses.

Somewhat predictably, several large clubs in both the AFL and NRL are saying the proposed pre-commitment rules amount to a ‘footy tax’ they’re not prepared to wear. With tens of millions of dollars of pokies revenue at stake, get set for another ware like the one the mining industry fought – and won – against the federal govt last year.

What I find odd about this whole issue, however, is just why so these footy clubs have invested so much in poker machines over the years. I mean, surely they should have seen that the writing was on the wall with this type of damaging activity?

Imagine, for example, that AFL clubs like Collingwood, Carlton and the Bulldogs invested heavily in strip joints as a means of earning profit. People would be outraged, yet when it comes to pokies, no one at board level in these clubs seems to have the gumption to stand up and say “Maybe we should look at alternative ways of making a buck out of our supporters”.

Govts have always reserved the right to change the rules when it comes to gambling, and this time is no different. Clearly as a community we’re worried about pokies addiction, and expect the parliament to do something about it.

Frankly, I think it’s time those AFL and NRL Clubs who rely heavily on poker machine revenue confronted their own addictions and invested elsewhere...

EARLIER: AFL Boss Andrew Demetriou has warned the Federal Government's Poker Machine reform could jeopardise the financial future of some clubs.

The AFL has teamed up with the National Rugby Leauge and Clubs Australia, vowing to run television advertisements against mandatory pre-commitment technology.

AFL club presidents will meet with the League boss today to further discuss their position.

On Friday, Mr Demetriou indicated they were gearing up for a fight telling Neil Mitchell he was also seeking a meeting with Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie who's pushing the Government to act.

PLAY: Wilkie states his case under Neil Mitchell's microscope

PLAY: Wilkie the 'zealot' forcing all of this on Australia

PLAY: Andrew Demetriou with Neil Mitchell

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Blog comments Your Say

  • Andrew Demetriou stop crying poor.

    Jake Tuesday 10 January, 2012 - 11:40 AM

  • With a bit of luck, this legislation will kill off a few venues and those that survive may get an extra machine or two. The AFL will just have to pass on a bit more of the sponsorship money it is holding. We stuffed up big time by giving machines to comercial operators, get them all back to clubs and then see the community benefits flow on.

    Josh Monday 26 September, 2011 - 2:54 PM

  • some of these vicball franchises who have been around for 100+ years need pokies to survive. RIP I say

    tough t*ties Monday 26 September, 2011 - 2:19 PM

  • AFL clubs survived before poker machines.

    Who is getting greedy.
    Oh would that be the AFL?
    It is a business after all
    with people losing homes and the economy shifting, that won't stop their greed for profit margins in the guise of being a family friendly operation.

    caz Monday 26 September, 2011 - 11:22 AM

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