Adam’s Tavern applies for more poker machines, says increase will benefit community

A BLACKTOWN pub says more poker machines at its venue will positively contribute to the community because it will donate $15,000 to a social services organisation to help problem gamblers.

Adam’s Tavern Blacktown publican Robert (Bob) McGhee.

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A BLACKTOWN pub says more poker machines at its venue will positively contribute to the community.

Adam’s Tavern in Blacktown has lodged an application with the Office of Liquor and Gaming to increase its number of gaming machines by three, to allow a total of 30, the maximum number any NSW hotel is allowed to hold.

The tavern currently has 23 poker machines.

Adam's Tavern Blacktown has applied for more poker machines at its venue.

If the application is approved, the hotel will make a $15,000 donation to a Blacktown counselling service for problem gamblers.

“The applicant is able to demonstrate that the increase in the gaming machine threshold will provide a positive contribution towards the local community as the hotel proposes to donate $15,000 to the Diocese of Blacktown CatholicCare Social Services,” the application said.

“The donation will benefit residents in need, especially those affected by gambling.”

Extra poker machines would ‘benefit the community’.

But a CatholicCare spokeswoman said it did not support the application.

“CatholicCare only supports programs and applications which seek positive outcomes for people in the local community,” she said.

“CatholicCare does not support increasing the number of poker machines in the community because it is not in the best interests of people in the local community.”

However, the spokeswoman said the organisation would use the money to provide problem gambling counselling and education for Blacktown residents.

Adam’s Tavern owner Bob McGhee said the hotel was exercising its right to apply for a licence for 30 poker machines.

“What this application does is keep us in line with other hotels in NSW so we’ve got the situation where we can have 30 machines,” he said. “It does not mean we will exercise that right. They are very expensive things to buy.”

An Office of Liquor and Gaming spokesman said hotels such as Adam’s Tavern applying for an increase in poker machines must demonstrate that it would benefit the community.

He said donating money to a gambling help service may be one way of demonstrating community benefit, although a donation was not a requirement.

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