One of the biggest benefits of poker machines and gambling being a popular Australian pastime is that the local community greatly benefits from their profits. Every poker machine donates a portion of its revenue to local community grant programs, which award charities and community organizations with money to help keep them running.
To start the year, Redland’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund has awarded more than $300 000 in grants to local groups and initiatives. The groups that received the funding were the Macleay Island Arts Complex. It was awarded $34 000, will use the money to furnish the building. Both the Birkdale Scout Group and Birkdale South State School received $31 000.
The scouts will use their funds to furnish their building while the school will build a new playground for its students. Sports clubs received quite a lot of funding, as well. The Brisbane South Baseball Association received $3485 for computer while the Capalaba Lawn Bowls Club was granted $17 000 for new shade sails.
$30 000 will go to the YMCA in Victoria Point, helping the centre replace and upgrade its gymnastic mats while the Equine Learning for Futures was grated $27,000 to run its horse riding programs. Capalaba Soccer and Recreation Club received $21 000 to upgrade their change rooms and the Redlands Swim Club will use its $19 000 to build a new patio roof.
The Redland’s Community Benefit Fund has been around since 1994 and has done some very valuable work. Over the years, more than 39 000 community groups and initiatives have received generous donations from the fund. In total, $503 million has been awarded by the community fund.
Providing a wide range of community groups with the funding their need in order to operator, the Redland Community Benefit Fund is a prime example of the good that poker machines can do for local residents. If you own, are a member of or volunteer with a community group, you can apply for a grant at: www.olgr.qld.gov.au.
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