Last year, pokies owned by Victorian AFL teams earned over $85 million. While each club earned several million dollars, Carlton was the frontrunner. Its 300 poker machines generated over $19 million in profits from punters across Victoria. During the 2012-13 financial year, pokies owned by Carlton generated $19 121 239. The club owns 300 poker machines that are located at four different venues.

Collingwood followed closely behind, its 180 pokies earning $13.1 million. Essendon was also in the Top 3, earning $11.9 million from its 190 poker machines. While each club has earned millions of dollars from their pokies over the course of the past year, their profits have significantly decline from the 2011-12 financial year.

This is likely due to the fact that the Victorian government has imposed a number of responsible gambling measures, which encourage players to keeping their spending under control. One of the most successful measures was the implementation of the ATM ban, which prevents players from withdrawing cash at pokie clubs and pubs.

Although AFL clubs are losing pokie profits, the responsible gambling measures have been seen as hugely successful. Local politicians have accepted the loss of profits as a positive sign that problem gambling rates are on the decline in Victoria. Additionally, AFL pokies still managed to generate nearly $100 million in revenue, so they continue to earn generous funding from gaming revenue.

However, responsible gambling experts believe that AFL clubs should take an active role in fighting problem gambling. AFL clubs are very influential, and it is important for them to take responsibility in the gambling market – especially since they own over a thousand pokies across the state.

“They need to engage to be part of the solution in tackling these important public health issues,” Professor Samantha Thomas, a problem gambling expert, told The Age. AFL clubs have yet to respond to these demands. It would certainly benefit their reputations among the general public to heed this advice.

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.