Last week, South Australian politicians agreed on the final terms of their gambling amendments. While the amendments aim to change the way in which pokies are regulated in the state, they will have also have a significant impact on the music industry in South Australia. Many politicians voiced their opinions on the bill, primarily concerned with betting limits and harm reduction strategies.
The Greens, however, had their eyes on the Community Development Fund, which is partially funded by poker machine profits. In the days leading up to the finalization of the amendments, The Greens pushed for the $500 000 live music fund to be increased to $850 000. Now that the amendments have been passed, the live music industry can look forward to an additional $350 000 in funding.
Previously, the industry was struggling, as local politicians seemed to ignore artists’ need for the funds required to tour and host live music events. Now, they will receive more government funding, thanks to South Australia’s new gambling amendments “This is overcoming some frustrations that the sector has had,” says Ryan Winter, spokesperson for Save Live Australia’s Music.
“At the end of the day it’s an increase in opportunity that we haven’t had for a very long time in the government-based funding sector.” It is a commonly known fact among industry professionals that pokies played a role in the decline of live music in the country.
Rooms that were once filled with music fans are now filled with gamblers and pokie machines, and the industry feels that the government needs to show more of a commitment to the local live music market. The additional funding will benefit the live music industry in a number of ways. There will be an increase in touring grants and artist grants, as well as an increase in funding for projects that will benefit live music venues.
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