Pokies win for clubs and pubs

By Casey Neill
AN OUTCRY from Monbulk Bowling Club and its counterparts last week forced the State Government to amend its gaming machine legislation.
The government had proposed an auction process for clubs and pubs to take control of their pokies from 2012 to break a gaming operator duopoly.
Tatts and Tabcorp currently determine where machines are located.
But last month the Mail reported Monbulk Bowling Club chairman Terry McHutchison as saying the legislation would spell the end for the club and called on the State Government to amend the proposal.
He said the machines would be too expensive for small, community organisations and would encourage larger hotels to expand.
The government last Thursday (4 June) bowed to public pressure and the Legislative Council gave an amended venue-operator model the thumbs up.
Clubs and pubs will have the right to buy their existing pokies, being forced to an auction process only for extra machines.
The venue’s average annual revenue per machine will determine their price.
The State Government will release more details this week.
Eastern Victoria Region MP Edward O’Donohue said he was ‘thrilled’ for Monbulk Bowling Club.
“I know they do a lot for the community,” he said.
Mr O’Donohue said he was ‘not a fan’ of pokies, but the revenue was vital for local clubs to survive.
He said many would not have been able to afford to bid for machines.
“The existence of many smaller clubs post-2012 was under threat,” he said.
“This is a huge relief.”
Mr McHutchison was not available for comment.