Pokies Give Back to the Community
Pokies across Australia are a source of significant government revenue. Every year, millions of dollars are spent on the funding of community programs and services, thanks to the contributions generated by gaming machines. As such, pokie reform, which will cut gambling profits, is unpopular among community groups.
Every year, Australian pokies generate $3 billion in profits. At least one-third of that total is used as government revenue to fund a wide range of community projects. Sports, arts, health and education groups are among the many initiatives that benefit from government funding provided by pokies.
Sports and other physical activities receive the most funding from pokie revenue ($127 million). Rugby received the most funding (13%) while horse racing (8%) and soccer (7%) also received a significant amount of funding from electronic gaming devices. This is likely the reason that so many rugby clubs have stood out against pokie reform; these clubs would lose a large portion of their funding should pre-commitment be made mandatory.
In 2005, arts and culture groups received 4% of available funding from electronic gaming revenue, which was just over $10 million. 75% of this total was allocated to performing arts and music. The breadth of arts covered includes a wide range of genres, including folk music festivals, orchestras, pipe bands, ballet, theatre companies and dance societies.
Social services received the second largest payout from money generated by pokies, obtaining $108 million. Educational services (including adult learning, early childhood education and employment training) received well over $40 million. Health services received $12 million and emergency services received $7.5 million.
Heritage Associations and Leisure Clubs received $10 million and $3 million, respectively. Leisure clubs received funding for animal clubs, agricultural associations, service clubs (for example, the Rotary Club) and hobby clubs. Heritage funding provides monetary backing for museums, parks, memorials and conservation groups. These are just a few of the leisure clubs that receive funding from pokies.
This impressive amount of funding is one of the main reasons that electronic gaming reform has become such an unpopular initiative. Should pokie revenue decline, education, arts and sports services would suffer from a lack of funding. Gaming revenue is likely to drop with the implementation of pokie reform, forcing them to seek out other forms of funding. With nearly $1 billion worth of funding to replace, charities and organizations wonder where they will find other funding resources, and several have started to protest the reform.
Pokies across Australia are a source of significant government revenue. Every year, millions of dollars are spent on the funding of community programs and services, thanks to the contributions generated by gaming machines. As such, pokie reform, which will cut gambling profits, is unpopular among community groups.
Every year, Australian pokies generate $3 billion in profits. At least one-third of that total is used as government revenue to fund a wide range of community projects. Sports, arts, health and education groups are among the many initiatives that benefit from government funding provided by pokies.
Sports and other physical activities receive the most funding from pokie revenue ($127 million). Rugby received the most funding (13%) while horse racing (8%) and soccer (7%) also received a significant amount of funding from electronic gaming devices. This is likely the reason that so many rugby clubs have stood out against pokie reform; these clubs would lose a large portion of their funding should pre-commitment be made mandatory.
In 2005, arts and culture groups received 4% of available funding from electronic gaming revenue, which was just over $10 million. 75% of this total was allocated to performing arts and music. The breadth of arts covered includes a wide range of genres, including folk music festivals, orchestras, pipe bands, ballet, theatre companies and dance societies.
Social services received the second largest payout from money generated by pokies, obtaining $108 million. Educational services (including adult learning, early childhood education and employment training) received well over $40 million. Health services received $12 million and emergency services received $7.5 million.
Heritage Associations and Leisure Clubs received $10 million and $3 million, respectively. Leisure clubs received funding for animal clubs, agricultural associations, service clubs (for example, the Rotary Club) and hobby clubs. Heritage funding provides monetary backing for museums, parks, memorials and conservation groups. These are just a few of the leisure clubs that receive funding from pokies.
This impressive amount of funding is one of the main reasons that electronic gaming reform has become such an unpopular initiative. Should pokie revenue decline, education, arts and sports services would suffer from a lack of funding. Gaming revenue is likely to drop with the implementation of pokie reform, forcing them to seek out other forms of funding. With nearly $1 billion worth of funding to replace, charities and organizations wonder where they will find other funding resources, and several have started to protest the reform.
0 comments: