“Out of kilter” with expectations
According to a newly released annual report on community contributions made by ACT clubs in Canberra, the clubs doled out $11.9 million in donations in total, but just $72,000 for problem gambling programs.
The Canberra Times reported that 72.4 percent of the total, or $8.6 million, went to “sport and recreation” or various “non-profit” activities. That compared with 8.5 percent directed to problem gamblers through a mandatory levy and just $72,309, or 0.6 per cent of all contributions, voluntarily made to problem gambling programs.
Rebecca Vassarotti of the Canberra Gambling Reform Alliance said the amount donated to offset problem gambling versus money earmarked for sports teams and other categories is “out of kilter with what the community expects.” She also said the figures are “pretty consistent with previous years.”
“A much higher proportion of pokie revenue should be directed to problem gambling,” she said.
A Clubs ACT spokeswoman said problem gambling contributions are the “highest they have ever been” and “despite a recent increase to the levy, clubs maintained contributions well above the legislated requirement.
“Clubs continue to contribute over $11 million annually to over 1,000 community groups and organizations,” she said.
