In Victoria, local politicians are currently considering raising poker machine taxes. While this move aims to benefit the economy as a whole, it also has potential to have a negative impact on local clubs and sports programs. According to a report in Adelaide Now, Premier Jay Weatherill released a tax review paper that would increase pub and club pokie taxes by up to 10%.
This would ensure that these venues pay the same rate as hotels; although it seems to be a fair solution, sports clubs are concerned that it would result in reduced funding. The Central District Football Club is one club in particular that is concerned about its funding. With 40 machines at its Elizabeth sporting ground, the club would see less money being spent on its junior leagues.
“It would affect our whole operation, including the number of people willing to become members of the club, people utilising the club, and what we can offer in terms of cheap meals and our Aussie rules football development programs,” says Kris Grant, Chief Executive of the Central District Football Club. With less funding, the junior program would not be able to accept as many young players.
The goal of the program is to promote a healthy and active lifestyle among young people, and increased taxes could compromise that. Another club that is concerned about the tax increase is the Para Hills Football Club, which also relies on revenue generated by 40 poker machines. The club uses the funding to purchase sports equipment and pay for electricity costs.
Should the pokie taxes be raised, the club would need to find support for these costs in other places – a task which may prove difficult in today’s economy.
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