With gaming reforms on the horizon, it is wise for football clubs and other public organizations to secure funding from other sources besides pokies. Alternative funding will create less dependence on poker machine revenue and less resistance to reforms. Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio has adopted this attitude and is applying it to the football team he hopes to secure.

Miccio has put in a bid for a New Zealand Football Club license, which will allow the city to have to two teams. He plans for a youth team for individuals under the age of 20 and a senior men’s football team. Both outlets will cost a total of $300 000 to operate, and Miccio does not want to derive any income from poker machines and gaming revenue. “There are a number of places where you can apply for grants that aren't pokies,” he says.

And, he’s right. Even though poker machines offer 40% of their revenue to the operation of local programs, there are other resources available. It would be wise for organizations to look into these possibilities, as reform could mean less funding for these programs.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.