Poker machines are more than a source of entertainment to Australians. They also perform a very valuable service by funding various community projects, including sports clubs, cultural programs and healthcare initiatives. One of the latest big projects for pokie funds is the renovation of the Foundry Hotel in Bendigo. Twenty new poker machines will be added to the venue with the goal of raising enough funds to cover a planned renovation.
The project is expected to cost $3.5 million, and the money would be difficult to acquire without the help of additional gambling revenue. The new pokies would bring the total of games at the Foundry Hotel up to 45. It is now up to the City of Greater Bendigo to review the appliance and determine if the venue should be permitted to install the new games.
The new games would bring in additional $1.5 and $1.6 million per year for the Foundry Hotel. According to a report by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, 90% of that revenue would come from patrons transferring from other venues while nearly $200 00 coming from pokies spending.
One of the major concern about the new games is whether or not they would cause harm to the community by increase problem gambling rates among residents. According to the report, the new pokies "would not have a detrimental impact on Bendigo, and would be an important measure in allowing the venue to continue to provide community contributions and maintain financial stability".
Another consideration is the location of the venue. When the Shamrock Hotel’s application for new pokies was rejected earlier this year, it was because the venue is located in a strip mall. This meant that passers-by may be tempted to walk off the street and play pokies. However, the Foundry Hotel is not in the same type of location. The outlook looks positive.
We will keep you posted with further details on the hotel’s application for new pokies.
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