AFL clubs raking in huge po-kies profits (Herald-Sun)

[one-eyed]

AFL clubs raking in huge po-kies profits

Michael Warner
Herald-Sun
16 April 2017


FOOTY’S addiction to po-ker machine cash has climbed to record levels — accounting for a third of some club revenues.

A new report reveals po-kies losses at pubs and clubs controlled by AFL teams topped $105 million last financial year alone.

Punters’ losses on 290 money-spinning machines operated by Carlton totalled $17 million, or 30 per cent of the Blues’ total revenue.

The IBISWorld report lists Hawthorn as the AFL’s second-richest club behind West Coast, with assets minus liabilities of $41.6 million.

The Hawks have 165 po-ker machines, which stripped punters of $19.5 million last year — 28 per cent of total revenue.

Brisbane (29 per cent), Essendon (23 per cent) and Melbourne (22 per cent) also rely heavily on po-kies.

Anti po-kies campaigner Tim Costello said it was time for the AFL Commission to address the scourge of gaming machines.

“These shocking figures prove most AFL clubs don’t simply dabble in po-ker machines, but in fact they have a full-blown addiction,” he said.

“How can any club possibly justify getting a third of its revenues from an addictive and deadly product?

“The clubs need help and the AFL must step in.”

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan met Rev Costello and Senator Nick Xenophon 16 months ago to discuss the AFL’s po-kies habit and has since conceded there is some discomfort among clubs.

“It’s something we’ve talked about a lot,” Mr McLachlan said last year.

“We looked at one stage … as an industry, could we exit them, but it’s challenging.”

North Melbourne, the only Victorian club without po-kies, sits 16th on the club-revenue ladder.

“For perspective, if North Melbourne had the same po-kies and hospitality takings as Hawthorn, they would be the fourth-largest club in the AFL in terms of revenue,” the IBISWorld report said.

“North Melbourne are currently only ahead of Greater Western Sydney and the Gold Coast in terms of revenue. Po-kies revenue has gradually risen as a share of total club revenue over the past decade.”

Collingwood is the AFL’s third-richest team with assets of $35.3 million, but was No. 1 in total revenues, bringing in $71.5 million.

Profit of $11.5 million on the Pies’ 146 po-ker machines equates to 16 per cent of the club’s revenues.

The Brisbane Lions are listed as the poorest club with assets minus liabilities of negative $10.8 million, but managed revenues last season of $48.7 million.

Gold Coast recorded the lowest revenues of $35.7 million.

West Coast does not own any po-ker machines, but comfortably rules the roost as the game’s wealthiest AFL club.

“West Coast’s long membership waiting listing and dominant position in a two-team town allows it to generate the highest return per member across the AFL,” IBISWorld said.



AFL clubs and po-kies


AFL clubs and po-kies revenue.


Richest in the land: AFL clubs by assets minus liabilities.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/afl-clubs-po-kies-profits-climb-to-record-105-million/news-story/8d87c5f8d3756ba2164af8c73481bed5

[tdy]

The fact that Mclachlin says it's tough says how greed and not footy has totally over taken the AFL hierarchy.  They turn over 100s of millions just drop all the pokes or limit it to 20 per club or something. But gosh it's tough for McLachlan to take a pay cut from 2 million to 1.5 million.  He might not be able to afford Russian caviar at his daughters 12th birthday or only 5 clowns and no elephant.

[🏅Dooks]

Govt should tax pokie profits at 80-90% and use it to fund hospitals, schools, infrastructure and scientific research. Would probably generate 4 Billion per annum.

While we are at it start taxing churches and other religious establishments. But that's for another thread

[Tigeritis™©®]

Govt should tax pokie profits at 80-90% and use it to fund hospitals, schools, infrastructure and scientific research. Would probably generate 4 Billion per annum.

While we are at it start taxing churches and other religious establishments. But that's for another thread

Agree. 

[tony_montana]

x2

[YellowandBlackBlood]

x3

[Gracie]

Govt should tax pokie profits at 80-90% and use it to fund hospitals, schools, infrastructure and scientific research. Would probably generate 4 Billion per annum.

While we are at it start taxing churches and other religious establishments. But that's for another thread

Doesn't fix the problem gamblers. They will still be throwing their money away. On some other form of gambling.

[one-eyed]

Bump. Didn't want to start a new thread for this.


The Demons join their grand final opponents the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and Geelong in divesting their stakes in po-ker machine venues in recent years. North Melbourne was the first club to get out of po-ker machines.

Five Victorian clubs - Carlton, Essendon, Richmond, Hawthorn and St Kilda - were all awarded new 20-year licences in 2018 to operate machines.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/demons-reap-24-million-from-bentleigh-club-sale-20210916-p58sdz.html

[Andyy]

Govt should tax pokie profits at 80-90% and use it to fund hospitals, schools, infrastructure and scientific research. Would probably generate 4 Billion per annum.

While we are at it start taxing churches and other religious establishments. But that's for another thread

Doesn't fix the problem gamblers. They will still be throwing their money away. On some other form of gambling.

Actually they'd be donating to a better cause.

Any idea how much of your donation to a charity actually gets to the end point? Haha. Pretty much 5-50% max.

[Rampsation]

Im for gaming but maybe its time for us to put our 20 year license up for sale and bring in a few million dollars into the coffers.

[yandb]

Govt should tax pokie profits at 80-90% and use it to fund hospitals, schools, infrastructure and scientific research. Would probably generate 4 Billion per annum.

While we are at it start taxing churches and other religious establishments. But that's for another thread

That the problem with Socialism Dooks because of their addiction to big Govt. and big spending they eventually run out of other peoples money.

If you taxed the pokies at that level then they would shut them down and no-one would get any money.

How do you intend to tax the churches?

Most of their income is from donations which have already been taxed.

 Our own club has received millions in govt grants would you prefer that we should return it so it can be spent on schools?

[tdy]

The UK lottery is a government run thing and all the profits go to funding sports, mostly Olympic sports. They did it for the London games so they wouldn't be totally embarrassed. The government could run all the gambling and the profits fund Medicare or some other social good.