Ringwood RSL sub-branch considering ditching pokies for eSports

An RSL club in Melbourne’s outer east is considering cashing out of pokies and replacing them with eSports and online gaming to safeguard its future. It’s part of the sub-branch’s ambitious $120 million redevelopment plan.

The Ringwood RSL sub-branch is considering cashing out of pokies and replacing them with electronic sports — known as eSports — and online gaming to secure its future.

It’s part of the sub-branch’s ambitious $120 million redevelopment plan, which would include a six-storey complex with more than 200 apartments, a pool and gym, an office and business hub and retail and medical facilities.

The sub-branch is also considering phasing out pokies within 10 years and embracing modern gaming options to tap into a younger demographic.

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Sub-branch president David Jamison said pokies were becoming “less acceptable in some of our newer veterans’ eyes” and it had to consider new income streams.

“It’s the older demographic that play the pokies essentially, the younger guys don’t seem to do that, their gaming is on their handheld devices,” he said.

“These gaming competitions based on video games … eGaming, that’s the sort of thing we are looking at.

“The kids are getting into it, and they enjoy it, so if that’s going to be a service we can provide, we’d be happy to do it.”

An artist's impression of the Ringwood RSL's planned redevelopment.

A Maroondah Leader Facebook poll last week found 59 per cent of nearly 500 voters supported the sub-branch removing pokies.

Mr Jamison said it was their desire to evolve into a community-focused club while retaining its core responsibility of caring for veterans and their families, which will be incorporated in the new building.

“This will set us up for the future, there will be a multi-generational aspect to it,” he said.

“We need the community support, so we need to provide facilities for the community as well.”

Maroondah Leader reported last year the sub-branch was considering a move to the Maroondah Sports Club in Ringwood East.

Mr Jamison said it would remain at its Station St home but was still exploring a potential partnership with the sports club.

He hoped the terms of the agreement for the redevelopment would be finalised this month, with the project completed by 2024.

Maroondah Council has not received any recent planning applications from the sub-branch.

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