ClubsNSW has launched a campaign in response to independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton announcing her support for gaming reform across NSW.
The campaign, ‘Gaming Reform the Right Way’, launched last week online and in clubs along the Murray after Ms Dalton recently signed on to a coalition of independent NSW politicians and community groups calling for reform.
She cited one of the primary reasons as being that her office was frequently contacted by people concerned about the impacts of gambling on individuals and families — including emotional problems and financial difficulties.
Ms Dalton made it clear she did not have the intention of closing down any clubs or dismantling the gaming industry but instead was lobbying for reform.
Those reforms include a cashless gaming card, reduced trading hours, independent compliance and a reduction in machine numbers.
“The Murray River area has one gaming machine for every 13 people, and in the Murray electorate this year they have generated more than $185 million. Of that massive spend, barely two per cent of that revenue is returned to the local community,” Ms Dalton said.
“These figures are simply frightening and are why I am standing up and calling for gambling reform.
“We already know gambling targets the vulnerable and disenfranchised, those individuals who have the least to lose and we also know children of gamblers are at a greater risk of developing problem gambling, than those of non-gambling parents.”
But the proposed changes have been met with much criticism.
Moama Bowling Club sales and marketing manager George Santos said the changes would severely impact the club’s ability to financially contribute to the Echuca-Moama community, sponsor events or offer support to local goods and service suppliers.
He said the MBC had become an integral part of the Echuca-Moama community since first opening its doors 94 years ago.
“We have become more than just a community hub; for many people we are their social connection, a place to come to meet friends, a home away from home,” Mr Santos said.
“The past 24 months for our business, like most local enterprises, have been challenging. We have been as impacted by restrictions, lockdowns, trade interruptions and supplier chaos both sides of the border.
“Yet in the past 12 months, we have been able to maintain our staffing level of 235 employees, injecting $9.9 million in wages into the local economy. A total of $763,000 in funding was provided through ClubGRANTS to our community and a further $260,000 through direct sponsorship to 80-plus organisations, while the sport of bowls has received a direct contribution of $1.33 million.”
Across NSW there are 1028 clubs with poker machines. Five clubs in Ms Dalton’s Murray electorate sit in the top 90 clubs for net profit per machine, including the MBC.
While she acknowledged that clubs did contribute financially to the community, Ms Dalton argued that the amount that put back into the community was small in comparison to the amount of revenue that was generated.
“Barely two per cent of the generated revenue from clubs (in the Murray electorate) is returned to the local community,” she said.
Outlined in a statement issued by the Moama RSL, it said that while the industry agreed with implementing gaming reforms, they had to be sensible.
The statement urged Ms Dalton to consult with Murray clubs before introducing any reforms.
“What she is proposing will cost local jobs and a great deal of community support programs including schools, hospitals, emergency services, sporting clubs and the like,” a Moama RSL spokesperson said.
In an effort to push back against the proposed reform, many clubs within the region have registered as third-party political campaigners.
ClubsNSW chief executive officer Josh Landis said Ms Dalton’s position made them feel as if they had no other option.
“As we come out of COVID lockdowns and floods, clubs around NSW are looking to their MPs for support, not uninformed attacks on their right to exist,” Mr Landis said.
“As I talk with clubs, what is abundantly clear to me is they are unhappy about how they have been treated as a political plaything, while the good they do for their communities has been ignored.”
Ms Dalton said she couldn’t understand why she was being “singled out” in the political campaign facilitated by ClubsNSW despite other politicians (most notably Premier Dominic Perrottet) also calling for reform.
“Gambling is a huge issue for our electorate, for any electorate, and as an independent, female NSW MP, I won’t be bullied into submission by the likes of ClubsNSW,” she said.
“I make no apology for putting the needs of my electorate before the needs of ClubsNSW.”