Victorian AFL clubs raked in $40m from poker machines last financial year

[Brezsa]

That’s costing the government through Medicare but it’s not destroying families, making people lose they’re lively hoods, increasing crime let’s start with the most serious ones first then get to the food problem next!

To me that’s still a government issue though. The government can end pokies tomorrow. If every AFL & NRL club gave up the pokies, in the current system someone will pop up and buy them or take the license & the adverse effects you list will still occur within society.

But the government is never going to do that, because while yes the clubs are benefiting, but so is the government (in this case state) every time a Victorian uses a government service. We are all complicit (assuming you are a West Aussie like me, less so, but if it wasn’t for the large government revenue from mining, we would have pokies just like vic & nsw to prop up the state government)

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Poker machines are the least of the AFL's problems.

AFL takes a direct cut for every dollar gambled on the sport.

Channel 7 also gets half of its advertising revenue from gambling companies.

If the AFL disasscoates with gambling say goodbye to $1B TV rights.

Literally half of the money the AFL makes is either directly or indirectly from gambling.

Yep. Over half the club would fold without gambling in sport. It unfortunately is what it is.

 

[RonnieRaven]

Yep. Over half these club would fold without gambling in sport. It unfortunately is what it is.

That’s what they said for ciggy advertising, that’s what they said when they put restrictions on grog advertising.
That’s what they’re saying about coal power.
It’s proper gander which judging by some content on BF is doing a mighty fine job!

 

[rye]

as much as i dislike the pokies, the majority of people who have an issue with them would soon find something just as frivolous to waste their money on if they were to be banned. definitely preferable to have a silent money maker in them than have another stupid shaquille o neale ad from pointsbet shoved down your throat

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

That’s what they said for ciggy advertising, that’s what they said when they put restrictions on grog advertising.
That’s what they’re saying about coal power.
It’s proper gander which judging by some content on BF is doing a mighty fine job!

Not propaganda.

You cut the AFL’s revenue by 50% tomorrow and see what the 2024 season looks like. The $$ are different now to what they were.

No reason why it shouldn’t be phased out, and good on clubs like North for moving on from pokies but for what they have lost out on the AFL has been happy to top them up straight from the bank account funded by Sportsbet.

 

[kreuze_missile]

Well we arseholed ciggy ads despite the doomsayers telling us it would be the end of sport as we know it.

Government legislated change.

 

[RonnieRaven]

Not propaganda.

You cut the AFL’s revenue by 50% tomorrow and see what the 2024 season looks like. The $$ are different now to what they were.

No reason why it shouldn’t be phased out, and good on clubs like North for moving on from pokies but for what they have lost out on the AFL has been happy to top them up straight from the bank account funded by Sportsbet.

It survived before this gambling boom
Short term pain long term gain.
Look what happened when covid hit and the afl realised you don’t need 25 coaches in a coaching box.
I’m sure most people would happily pay more for memberships and kayo if it was free of this stench I certainly would.

 

[kreuze_missile]

I’m sure most people would happily pay more for memberships and kayo if it was free of this stench I certainly would.

You in the minority.

 

[Saab NLAW]

Not propaganda.

You cut the AFL’s revenue by 50% tomorrow and see what the 2024 season looks like. The $$ are different now to what they were.

No reason why it shouldn’t be phased out, and good on clubs like North for moving on from pokies but for what they have lost out on the AFL has been happy to top them up straight from the bank account funded by Sportsbet.

I don't think there would be any real harmful changes to the competition if that happened. We'd lose AFLW, but who cares. All the extra crap that the AFL puts money into would go, again who cares. May lose GWS too, once again...

The amount of money the AFL wastes is ridiculous

 

[Atomboy]

Carlton
Richmond
Essendon
St Kilda

What a horrible, horrible way for these clubs to make money.

The members and supporters of these clubs should be ashamed of themselves for supporting the parasitic nature of their ventures.

Shameful. Do better.

Jesus mate, two of your “Official Partners” are Crown Casino and TabTouch.

Maybe turn the self righteousness down a touch ?.

FWIW I think having pokies in the same facility as the Danny Frawley Center is a bad look. Saints need to ditch these bloody things.

 

[RonnieRaven]

You in the minority.

Maybe I’m to naive to think that others would show empathy towards others less fortunate

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

It survived before this gambling boom
Short term pain long term gain.
Look what happened when covid hit and the afl realised you don’t need 25 coaches in a coaching box.
I’m sure most people would happily pay more for memberships and kayo if it was free of this stench I certainly would.

Wishful thinking Ronnie but I’m not sure that’s the case if only it were like that.

 

[RonnieRaven]

Wishful thinking Ronnie but I’m not sure that’s the case if only it were like that.

It’s sad that people to show empathy, strive for a better future and have a positive mind for a positive outcome is wishful thinking.
Lucky there’s always some of us otherwise cancer would be rife from ciggys, First Nation people would still be classified as fauna and the priest of the Catholic Church would still have free passage to destroy children’s life.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

It’s sad that people to show empathy, strive for a better future and have a positive mind for a positive outcome is wishful thinking.
Lucky there’s always some of us otherwise cancer would be rife from ciggys, First Nation people would still be classified as fauna and the priest of the Catholic Church would still have free passage to destroy children’s life.

People barely have enough $$ for memberships and streaming services as it is. You’re almost locking out the average Australian at that point. But see where you’re coming from.

 

[kranky al]

Government legislated change.

Yup.

 

[kreuze_missile]

Maybe I’m to naive to think that others would show empathy towards others less fortunate

There's already enough things in this world the majority can't legally enjoy because the minority can't practice self control.

This has got absolutely nothing to do with being less fortunate.

 

[Kwality]

Disagree with this.

If we’re potting Carlton then we should pot the Saints as well.

The net result is the average punter losing money.

Either ban it for all or let everyone in. We’re still a part of the issue even though we take in 10x less than Carlton.

It has never been an option for the WA clubs .... everyone you say ?

 

[bzparkes]

I remember when smoking advertising was banned during sport, yet here we are with 15 Sportsbet/Bet 365 ads being rammed down our throats every ad break.

It's ridiculous.

 

[bzparkes]

AFL/clubs 'rely' on gambling because it's easy money. They don't have to actually get creative and come up with new revenue boosting initiatives, because the gambling money just flows in.

If gambling revenue was taken away tomorrow, they'd completely collapse, because they have NFI how to come up with fresh ideas for the fans to engage in and spend their money on.

They could make so much more money from the existing fan base if they gave them something of value but there's no point because the gambling companies do all the work for them.

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

I'm happy for my club to cut ties with gambling. In fact, I want them to, but I'm happy for them to do it when the AFL does.
Gambling advertising has no place in society. Just like alcohol and tobacco.
I don't smoke, but enjoy a drink and the occasional punt. I don't need advertising for any of it though. I know it exists and how to access it.

 

[The Educator]

I'm happy for my club to cut ties with gambling. In fact, I want them to, but I'm happy for them to do it when the AFL does.
Gambling advertising has no place in society. Just like alcohol and tobacco.
I don't smoke, but enjoy a drink and the occasional punt. I don't need advertising for any of it though. I know it exists and how to access it.

That's a rubbish, agency denying, defense.

Only 6 AFL clubs are left with pokies machines. 12 other Clubs have cut ties or never had pokies. Right now those six clubs are doing it at the expense of the general reputation of the game (i.e of the other 12 clubs)

The relationship with wagering on the game is a different issue altogether. Hopefully there is a ban on advertising but I am all for the AFL continuing to take a commission from legal gambling on its matches.

Until that is settled there is nothing stopping the remaining clubs from getting out of pokies except their own short sighted self interest

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

That's a rubbish, agency denying, defense.

Only 6 AFL clubs are left with pokies machines. 12 other Clubs have cut ties or never had pokies. Right now those six clubs are doing it at the expense of the general reputation of the game (i.e of the other 12 clubs)

The relationship with wagering on the game is a different issue altogether. Hopefully there is a ban on advertising but I am all for the AFL continuing to take a commission from legal gambling on its matches.

Until that is settled there is nothing stopping the remaining clubs from getting out of pokies except their own short sighted self interest

Happy for you to disagree. I was only half serious about wanting my club to get out of it when the AFL does. I'd be more than happy for them to cut ties today if the club could find other immediate revenue streams (they are actively trying to move away from this and have a plan in place, although arguably it could happen quicker, but they need sustainable revenue in its place).

I do find your hypocrisy interesting though.
You're happy for the AFL to take a cut of "legal" gambling on its matches, despite a very obvious conflict of interests and the potential for match fixing and corruption, but clubs who don't step away from "legal" pokies revenue, with no conflict of interests, are doing it at the expense of the reputation of the game and are short sighted?

That seems to be completely backwards. The AFL being deep in the pockets of gambling companies is what's in direct contrast to the reputation of the game.
And clubs finding alternate revenue streams, to ensure the continued existence of said club, is more long sighted than short sighted.

 

[The Educator]

Happy for you to disagree. I was only half serious about wanting my club to get out of it when the AFL does. I'd be more than happy for them to cut ties today if the club could find other immediate revenue streams (they are actively trying to move away from this and have a plan in place, although arguably it could happen quicker, but they need sustainable revenue in its place).

I do find your hypocrisy interesting though.

My hypocrisy?

Do you know what the word even means?

You're happy for the AFL to take a cut of "legal" gambling on its matches, despite a very obvious conflict of interests and the potential for match fixing and corruption, but clubs who don't step away from "legal" pokies revenue, with no conflict of interests, are doing it at the expense of the reputation of the game and are short sighted?

That seems to be completely backwards. The AFL being deep in the pockets of gambling companies is what's in direct contrast to the reputation of the game.

You have know idea what a "conflict of interest" is either.

Ultimately wagering on football will either be legal or illegal in this country. If, and in all likelihood it will, it remains legal, the AFL will not have the power to ban betting on its games.

If wagering companies are allowed to accept bets on the game, the AFL should get a commission from those bets. The alternative is that those companies are freely making money off content they are not contributing to at all.

Ultimately that income is passive in an environment where wagering advertising is banned. There is no logical case that it increases the chances of match fixing or corruption.

This is very different to clubs continuing to hold pokies licences.

And clubs finding alternate revenue streams, to ensure the continued existence of said club, is more long sighted than short sighted.

Corporate koolaide nonsense. Clubs are always seeking extra revenue streams. Most clubs that have got out of pokies have tried on that line to kick the can down the road but ultimately just got out of it. North Melbourne still exists despite both being the smallest club and the first to shed ownership of pokies.

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

My hypocrisy?

Do you know what the word even means?

Yikes!
Yes...

I am all for the AFL continuing to take a commission from legal gambling on its matches

those six clubs are doing it at the expense of the general reputation of the game

Clubs doing it = bad
AFL doing it = good

You have know idea what a "conflict of interest" is either.

Ultimately wagering on football will either be legal or illegal in this country. If, and in all likelihood it will, it remains legal, the AFL will not have the power to ban betting on its games.

If wagering companies are allowed to accept bets on the game, the AFL should get a commission from those bets. The alternative is that those companies are freely making money off content they are not contributing to at all.

Betting has existed long before the companies were involved in advertising/sponsorship. There are markets for all kinds of things. Presidential elections, Logies, The Block, The Voice, the Neighbours return, Triple J's hottest 100. Do they all get kickbacks?
Betting agencies constantly make money off content they aren't contributing to. They only contribute to it because it increases their market share and the money they make off it, not under some obligation to give back to the product they are making markets on.

Ultimately that income is passive in an environment where wagering advertising is banned. There is no logical case that it increases the chances of match fixing or corruption.

Dude, we just had an umpire accused of providing info about Brownlow betting. It is VERY open to corruption. Very naive to think otherwise.

This is very different to clubs continuing to hold pokies licences.

How is it different? Both are forms of gambling. Both are legal, but perhaps morally corrupt. Both cause the same damage to society.
You seem to have decided that the AFL profiting off gambling is fine, but clubs doing it is bad. That's a perfectly fine opinion to have, but it's just an opinion. Reality is, neither is better or worse than the other.

 

[Rob]

Yep. Over half the club would fold without gambling in sport. It unfortunately is what it is.

Lol, rubbish.

If North can survive without it every club could.

Not that North are some sort of moral compass on this issue though, they only got out of it because they couldn't turn a dollar with them, not because they had a moral epiphany.