CONTROVERSIAL poker machine reforms will cost Ballarat Football League clubs $250,000 a year and could cost other sporting clubs in the region millions, a local league says.
Chief executive of Ballarat Football League Rod Ward has written to Ballarat MP Catherine King to express opposition to the reforms, which he says will limit funds used to support clubs and the community.
Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has threatened to withdraw support for the Gillard minority government if legislation requiring mandatory pre-commitment technology is not passed.
Under the plan, high-intensity machines would have losses capped at $120 an hour. Currently players can lose $1200 an hour.
“It should be noted that there are only two countries that have mandatory pre-commitment technology in place and the evidence does not show it has reduced problem gambling,” Mr Ward said.
“We are of the view that proposed legislation is flawed and of great concern.”
He said allowing problem gamblers to set their own spending limits was like an alcoholic setting a limit of “two slabs a day”.
Mr Ward defended the revenue raised by the league’s 54 poker machines and said they contributed to $1.8 million given to clubs in 2009.
He said the league supported voluntary pre-commitment proposals proposed by the Victorian government.
“Victoria is doing more for what amounts to less than 1 per cent of players who are problem gamblers,” Mr Ward said.
Mr Ward described claims from Collingwood president Eddie McGuire that the reforms amounted to a “footy tax” did the debate a disservice.
Cath Smith, chief executive of the Victorian Council of Social Service said a recent Productivity Commission report found poker machines were the primary outlet for problem gamblers.
“Victorians lose around $3 billion of the $12 billion lost to pokies nationally each year,” she said.
Ms Smith said problem gamblers accounted for 40 per cent of total gaming machine spending nationwide and 80 per cent of problem gamblers suffered their biggest losses on pokies.
Ms King reaffirmed her support for the important role of clubs in the community.
“Sporting clubs, including football clubs, will continue to be an important part of our community.
“But that shouldn’t come at the expense of people with gambling problems and their families,” Ms King said.
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