Pokies shake-up will hit RSL

By Melissa Meehan
THE Upper Yarra RSL is among a number of local RSLs facing uncertainty after an announcement by the Brumby Government to restructure Victoria’s gaming industry beyond 2012.
Premier John Brumby said the Victorian Government had decided to move to a new structure for the industry, which removes the need for separate gaming machine operators, Tattersall’s and Tabcorp, with venues set to own, operate and maintain electronic gaming machines.
“This announcement fundamentally reshapes the gaming industry in Victoria,” Mr Brumby said.
Under the post 2012 structure, venues will bid directly for 10-year gaming machine entitlements.
“The gaming machine industry has matured in Victoria, and the time is right to empower local venue operators to make local decisions about their gaming operations, giving them more responsibility and accountability within their local communities,” Mr Brumby said.
While all proposed changes to the industry have not been released, there have been reports that each machine will be worth between $10,000 and $20,000.
President of the Upper Yarra RSL Rob Worlley said that he was waiting to see any further developments.
“Everything is hypothetical at the moment,” Mr Worlley said.
He agreed that it would be difficult to raise the $300,000 that would cover the 30 machines currently at the Upper Yarra premises.
“I think the RSL will probably take control whether to do it as a block, we have no idea at this stage,” Mr Worlley said.
“Some of the bigger clubs like Box Hill have millions in the bank and nothing to spend it on, but we don’t have that sort of back-up.”
The Minister for Gaming Tony Robinson said the government would introduce a progressive tax system covering electronic gaming machines to help create a level playing field between small and large venues.
He said under the new structure the numbers of machines outside Crown Casino would remain fixed at 27,500, split evenly between clubs and hotels and with at least 20 per cent in country Victoria.
Opposition spokesman for gaming Michael O’Brien said that the new gaming licensing model will also lead to many smaller pubs and community clubs being shut out from gaming machines.
He said the removal of pokies from many small clubs and pubs would have a devastating impact on their ability to survive.
“Under this auction system for new licences, the big players will be the ones with the deep pockets,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Local country pubs will be competing against hotel giants for pub licences.”