This week, Adelaide United announced that it is planning to purchase the Castle Tavern from Sturt FC, and will acquire up to 40 new pokies in the process. The move will benefit both parties but responsible gambling advocates have criticised the plan. Adelaide United’s home sports ground is in Hindmarsh, which is fair distance away from the Castle Tavern in Edwardston.
As such, the club will not be a base for fans of the team. Instead, Adelaide United views the acquisition as a commercial opportunity, generating non-core income for the team and its members. “The Castle Plaza’s a long-standing entity in the Edwardstown area. Our motivation there will be to make it appealing to all the patrons who live close by,” says Glenn Elliott, CEO of Adelaide United.
“There is significant opposition down there so we will have to be very good at the various hospitality skills that are required.” The acquisition will greatly benefit Sturt Football Club, as the team has been struggling with debt for several years. The team has accrued $2.2 million in debt, and has attempted to clear the balance with fundraising and through the sale of its assets.
The Castle Tavern is a valuable asset to the football club, and its sale will likely bring in a generous windfall. However, the amount remains undisclosed. Since this will be Adelaide United’s first pokie club, responsible gambling advocates have criticised the sale. Ross Womersley of the South Australian Council of Social Services is disappointed that Adelaide United will fund its sports activities with gambling and liquor sales.
He has also pointed out that the club’s new games could contribute to the state’s struggle with problem gambling rates. The profits generated from the new pokies will be used to fund youth development programs. Adelaide United does not receive as much funding as other A-League teams, so the pokie profits will certainly benefit players and local youths.
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