The proposal to include poker machines at Canberra Casino is a contentious issue across the state. This week, ClubsACT has launched a campaign that opposes pokies at the venue, accompanied by a petition that would keep the current clubs-only model intact. Last year, Aquis Entertainment purchased Canberra Casino with plans to spend $330 million on refurbishment.
As part of the plan, the developer proposed the inclusion of poker machines – but, the casino has been pokie-free ever since it opened. Electronic gaming machines have been restricted for use in ACT clubs only, and Aquis Entertainment wants to change this.
Executives at Aquis Entertainment plan to purchase over 650 poker machines from clubs across Canberra. 500 will be used on the casino floor while the remainder will be forfeited, as required by ACT’s pokie trading laws. This is a major stipulation for the refurbishment of the casino, and the project may not move forward if the government does not grant Aquis to have pokies.
ClubsACT, which represents pokie clubs across the state, has spoken out against Aquis’s plans. Gwyn Reed, Chief Executive of ClubsACT, argues that the move would cause closures for clubs. This would be detrimental to the local gaming market, as well as to various not-for-profit organisations which rely on pokie grants to operate.
“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,” Rees says. Another major issue is problem gambling. ClubsACT has cited statistics which state that players spend twice as long playing pokies at casinos than they would while at a club.
As such, Aquis Entertainment’s plans could potential cause a rise in problem gambling rates across the states. The debate over pokies at Casino Canberra is a complex issue. We will keep you updated as this story develops.
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