Conflict over slot machines heats up in Canberra

ClubsACT, which represents community clubs in Canberra, has launched a new campaign to stir community opposition over the ACT government’s position about the possibility of allowing pokies in Canberra Casino.

2016-01-22

Australia

Reading time 1:30 min

ClubsACT, which represents community clubs in Canberra, has launched a new campaign to stir community opposition over the ACT government’s position about the possibility of allowing pokies in Canberra Casino.

The association has begun an online petition to preserve the current community club model, which it claims would be destroyed if the casino is given slot machines.

This conflict started September 2015, when the new owner of Canberra Casino, Aquis Entertainment, revealed plans of a AU$ 330m (USD 227M) new gambling and entertainment venue in the capital of Australia. Currently the use of slots is restricted to not-for-profit operators, but Aquis Mwants the ACT Government to reconsider this rule as a key demand for the project to move forward.

About 670 slot machines would be bought by Aquis from the city’s clubs, but only 500 will be operated as 170 would be forfeited under the trading scheme rules. If the Hong Kong-based company receives approval from government, it would make the casino the single largest operator of slot machines in one location in the Australian Capital Territory.

Aquis claims the revamped venue could attract up to 750,000 extra visitors a year to Canberra, including high-end Chinese gamblers. According to the company this would generate more than 400 jobs and raise as much as AU$60m a year in additional tax revenue.

However, Clubs ACT has been fighting for this not to happen alleging that slot machines at the casino would destroy the existing community model and kill off many of the capital’s clubs. ClubsACT chief executive, Gwyn Rees, said Canberra’s community club model plays a vital role in the economy and underpins social fabric.

Last financial year, clubs received AU$95.8m in net revenue from gaming machines, with AU$12.7m donated to community programs and sport. “ACT community clubs are not-for-profit and they plough money back locally in the form of jobs, infrastructure and grants to community groups, sport clubs and charities,” noted Rees.

The campaign looks for support from the community, while local government still defines its position in the matter. A spokesman for the Chief Minister said: “Andrew Barr has previously said that the government continues to examine the unsolicited proposal that has been put forward by the casino and no position has been formed at this stage.”