City of Melbourne formalise its objection to AFL’s growing reliance on harmful pokies revenue
THE City of Melbourne on Tuesday night formalised its objection to the AFL industry’s growing reliance on harmful poker machine revenue.
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THE City of Melbourne on Tuesday night formalised its objection to the AFL industry’s growing reliance on harmful poker machine revenue.
The council’s Future Melbourne Committee unanimously passed a motion that calls for council chief executive Ben Rimmer to write to the AFL urging the league to “develop a funding support plan to encourage all AFL clubs to transition away from reliance on poker machines”.
All Victorian clubs except for North Melbourne run poker machines, taking about $90 million from punters’ pockets annually.
The council motion will also require any clubs wishing to do commercial deals with the city to commit to reducing their stake in poker machines.
Council is to sign off on a $3 million 10-year deal giving ratepayers access to Collingwood’s community facilities in August.
It’s believed that deal may now include a mid-term review to assess the Magpies’ stake in gaming businesses.
The council has done commercial deals with Carlton, Richmond and North Melbourne over the past decade worth about $6m.
It is also a partner of the AFL and backer of the league’s annual Grand Final parade.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan on Friday admitted their was industry-wide discomfort about pokies, but put the prospect of exiting the industry in the too-hard basket.
The AFL is awash with cash after signing a record $2.5 billion broadcast deal, with players now lining up for big pay increases.
The Alliance of Gambling Reform, of which the council is now a backer, wants the league to use its huge cash reserves to get clubs out of gaming.
Poker machines have been acknowledged by AFL club bosses to be a key factor in social and family harm.
Originally published as City of Melbourne formalise its objection to AFL’s growing reliance on harmful pokies revenue
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