Murrumbidgee MLA Dr Marisa Paterson started her campaign to keep the area pokie-free earlier this year and the past 31 August introduce legislation to ban the authorisation of class C gaming machine licenses (poker machines) in the Molonglo Valley and other undeveloped areas of the ACT.
“The concept behind the campaign was simple: proximity to poker machines increases gambling harm. The Molonglo Valley has no poker machines – it should stay that way,” she said.
“This does not mean that clubs cannot establish in new parts of Canberra; rather, that if they do, they cannot bring pokies with them.”
Dr Paterson said she had had many conversations with community groups, local sports organisations and multicultural groups about how to best support new community outcomes and how clubs could play a larger role than being a place for gambling.
“What is clear from Molonglo residents is that they desire vibrant venues and community facilities in their community, but poker machines are not part of that future vision,” she said.
Clubs generally have three main sources of revenue: food, beverages, and gaming machines.
Canberra Community Clubs chair Athol Chalmers said clubs certainly needed to learn how to diversify their revenue streams. However, this was easier for established businesses. “Typically, most clubs own a bit of land, so they can invest in building a childcare centre or something else to help them diversify,” he said.
“Revenue from gaming machines is significantly used by clubs to support community groups … if you don’t have that revenue stream anymore, support to those clubs would reduce dramatically,” Mr Chalmers said.
“If the only way you can make money is through food and beverages, you effectively become a pub.
