Across Australia and New Zealand, responsible gambling advocates have been concerned that clubs and pubs rely too heavily on revenue brought in by poker machines. Now, gaming professionals in Las Vegas are examining the game issue. The Committee to Conduct an Interim Study Concerning the Impact of Technology Upon Gaming was established recently by lawmakers, gaming industry professionals and gambling regulator.
It is their responsibility to determine the effect that new gaming technology is having on the local casino industry. One of their concerns regards whether or not pub owners depend too much on raking in revenue from their gaming machine. Local laws state that clubs with 15 or fewer poker machines (restricted licenses) are not governed by the same laws as official gaming venues.
However, there are some venues which host fewer than 15 pokies but offer minimal food and drink options. Essentially, these pubs have become gaming clubs, but they are exempt from the same regulation as actual gaming venues. Experts are concerned about these pubs, which depend heavily on gambling revenue but do not submit to the same rules as casinos.
According to Casino City Times, clubs with more than 16 poker machines (non-restricted clubs) are required to pay larger fees. They must pay 3.5% on the first $50 000 that is made from pokies, 4.5% on an additional $84 000 and 6.75% on profits that total more than $134 000. Restricted club fees are less expensive, as they must pay $81 per game if there are fewer than five games and $141 per game if there are more than six games.
So, it seems unfair that restrict clubs can operate on the same business model as non-restricted clubs and pay less in taxes. “The vast majority of the restricted licensees play by the rules of the game,” says Guy Hiller, Executive Vice President of Cannery Casinos. “But there are others that don’t. Give the regulators the tools they need to make sure these locations are brought into compliance.”
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