The four casinos in Queensland donate a relatively large portion of their profits to local community groups. Last year, funding totalled $47.8 million, but there are some charities that are missing out on the opportunity to receiving grants from these gaming venues.
According to Byronshire News, a report by Auditor-General Andrew Greaves found that local casinos are providing funding from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund to certain organizations without providing adequate reasoning why. As such, groups that are likely more deserving of the funding could be losing out.
An example of this is outlined in the report, when one organization was provided with two grants worth $552 000 for the same application from two different funds. Because this particular organization received twice as much funding as was required, several other groups went without funding. To rectify the issue, the Queensland Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee has suggested a number of changes to the gaming grants system.
The committee wants grants to be awarded with transparency so that the general public knows exactly why certain groups are receiving funding while others are being left out. MP Ian Berry, chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, recognizes that the sources behind the funding are unlikely to be acting maliciously and providing an unfair advantage to some groups on purpose.
Still, he would like to see all community groups receive the same fair treatment across the board. As such, a wide range of groups would be able to benefit from the profits earned by local casinos and gambling venues in Queensland. The closing date for the next round of funding for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund is February 28th, 2014.
Any organizations wishing to secure funding for operations and individual projects can learn more about the application process at: http://www.olgr.qld.gov.au/grants/apply/guidelines/index.shtml.
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