Gambling report concerns clubs

Brothers Leagues Club general manager Mark Hennelly says the Productivity Commission report into gaming has recommendations that are too severe on poker machines. Photo: File

BROTHERS Leagues Club general manager Mark Hennelly says community clubs have been unfairly targeted in the Productivity Commission’s report into gambling.

The final report was handed to the Federal Government late last week and it is expected to consider the report before publicly releasing it.

Mr Hennelly said the report focused on gaming machines in clubs and hotels with little attention paid to other forms of gambling.

“Nobody objects to lotto advertising $30 million jackpots supported by a massive advertising campaign or Keno, racing, internet gambling, home phone accounts - the list goes on,” he said.

“Also, it does not seem to be a concern that Coles and Woolworths control the largest fleet of EGMs (electronic gaming machines) probably in Australia.”

Recommendations in the report include:

- Limiting ATM cash withdrawals in gaming venues to $200 per day;

- Further reducing the operating hours of gaming machines;

- Limiting the maximum bet on gaming machines at $1;

- Limiting the amount of cash that can be inserted into a gaming machine to $20.

Mr Hennelly said the limitation on ATMs would raise safety concerns.

“What would you prefer, come into Brothers at 9pm on a Monday or stop in Brisbane Street at the NAB ATM opposite Bell Street? It’s a no-brainer,” he said.

Mr Hennelly echoed Clubs Queensland CEO Doug Flockhart, who said governments should consider the consequences of measures recommended by the commission’s report.

“If implemented, these recommendations would have a severe impact on the financial viability of community clubs and ultimately that means a dramatic affect on their ability to contribute economically and socially,” Mr Flockhart said.

“I believe governments are smart enough to realise they simply couldn’t fund the services and assets that not-for-profit community clubs provide by giving back to their communities. The social cost of losing such vital community hubs would be enormous.”