A tavern in Midge Point has said no to pokies, and stood firm on its decision. The owners of Midge Point Tavern, Neil and Kaye Brooks, spoke with Christian Today to explain their reasons for choosing not to host pokies in their place of business. In 2004, when the couple decided to open their own tavern in Midge Point, they decided that the area needed a family-friendly establishment.
The Brooks believed that they could provide that venue by opening up a new tavern that would cater to community interests and bringing locals together. One of the first steps to creating a family-friendly atmosphere was running a 'Sensitivity Report', which would determine how gambling in the new tavern would affect the area.
According to the report, hosting pokies machines would counteract the community spirit of Midge Point, and the Brooks decided to keep the restaurant pokies-free. Over the years, the restaurant has become a popular spot for both tourists and locals. The lack of poker machines does affect profits, but the Brooks believe that they make up for the losses by attracting unique set of visitors with it's family-friendly vibe.
However, pokies are still a popular past time for adults across Australia. In addition to providing extra entertainment at the pub, pokies offer players the chance to win big while playing exciting games with generous cash prizes.