Poker machines are a valuable source of revenue not only for local gaming clubs but also for the government. The profits derived from pokies are used to fund a wide range of community and government programs, and local gaming club operators believe that increasing the number of poker machines that the house will benefit a number of parties.
The owners of the Golburn Soldiers Club have adopted this viewpoint, as they hope to install another 20 machines in order to increase profits. Currently, the own 115 pokies for patrons to wager on and they would like to bring the total number up to at least 135. Although poker machine reform aims to reduce gambling spending, the Soldiers Club is confident that it will be granted the license necessary in order to install the new games.
Just last year, the Workers Club received a license for an additional 20 games, and the owners of the Soldiers Club have a feeling that they will receive the same treatment. Last year, the 115 poker machines at the Soldiers Club brought in $6 million. In addition to earning valuable profits for the venue itself, pokies at the Soldiers Club also gave back to the community.
Over the course of the last year, they helped to raise $367,000 for the Community Development and Support Expenditure scheme (CDSE), an organization which distributes pokie profits to disadvantaged communities. By adding 20 new games to the venue, the operator believes that it can increase profits by at least $1 million in the first year alone.
This will also increase the amount of money that the club donates to local charities and non-profit organizations. Should the club’s application be successful, the Soldiers Club will donate $105,000 to Growing Abilities Goulburn Inc. This group helps disabled and disadvantaged individuals that cannot obtain work by providing them with valuable employment opportunities.
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