AFL pokies: Clubs win as Victorian gamblers lose

GAMBLERS have lost more than $800 million on AFL club-controlled pokies in less than a decade, with official figures showing four Victorian powerhouse clubs have recorded the biggest losses in their venues.

GAMBLERS have lost more than $800 million on AFL club-controlled pokies in less than a decade.

Official figures show that Hawthorn, Carlton, Essendon and Collingwood recorded the biggest losses in their venues between July 2008 and ­December last year.

It comes after the Herald Sun revealed a Mon­ash University report that linked footy club-controlled pokies to rising rates of family violence.

MORE: Study flags major concerns about AFL pokies link to family violence

PDF: Read Monash University’s report in full here

Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesman Tim Costello said AFL clubs that owned pokies could not claim to be community-minded.

“That ($800 million) figure translates into so many broken marriages, so many kids who have gone hungry and so much crime. That you can do that level of damage, nearly $1 billion worth, to your community just to have the money to buy a Buddy Frank­lin or flag is morally wrong,” he said.

All Victorian sides except North Melbourne control 17 pokies venues across the state.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation data shows Hawthorn has the biggest money spinners — Vegas at Waverley Gardens and WestWaters Hotel, in which the club has a three-quarter stake. The two venues recorded almost $23.3 million in losses last year.

Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesman Tim Costello says AFL clubs that owned pokies can not claim to be community-minded. Picture: AP/Keryn Stevens

The Hawks — dubbed the family club — refused to comment when asked if it would look to sell the venues or whether they caused harm.

Geelong has halved its pokies pool and promised to do away with them, while the Western Bulldogs want to sell their 65 machines. The AFL has pushed for clubs to “reduce and if possible eliminate” their reliance on pokies revenue for a number of years.

But North Melbourne remains the only pokies-free club in the state, having dumped its small operation out of Etihad Stadium in 2008.

“We’re not in the business of telling other clubs how to run their operations but what I will say is for North Melbourne, we’ve been able to prove consistently since 2008, that we can be a responsibly run, profitable and progressive club without the need for any pokies revenue,” Kangaroos chief executive Carl Dilena said.

Victoria’s Gaming Minister Marlene Kairouz said ditching pokies was a decision for the AFL and individual clubs but that the government welcomed “the opportunity to discuss the potential move away from gaming machines”.

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