Blown On The Pokies

Newcastle Herald

Saturday December 20, 2008

DONNA SHARPE

HUNTER clubs have reported an increase of up to 50 per cent in poker machine revenue in the two weeks since the Federal Government began handing out its cash bonus to pensioners and low-income earners.

Maitland Leagues Club reported an increase of 50 per cent in poker machine takings during the first week of the payments and an increase of about 20 per cent in bar takings.

The Rudd Government's $10.4 billion economic stimulus package was meant to boost retailers and manufacturers as well as the families who received the cash.

But clubs contacted yesterday by The Herald reported a spike in pre-Christmas trade, some putting the increase down to the Government's recession-buster handouts.

Maitland District Leagues Club chief executive Nicole Rollason said

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Hunter battlers blow bonus in spending spree on pokies

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club trade was "astronomical" during the two weeks the payments were made.

She said the first week's poker machine clearance was up 50 per cent on a regular week and the second week was about 40 per cent up with young couples through to pensioners having a flutter.

Ms Rollason said bar takings were up about 20 per cent over the fortnight.

"It's traditional to have a slow January and February and it is usually busy in the lead-up to Christmas when people get their Christmas club money but with this extra bonus it has been a lot busier," she said.

East Cessnock Bowling Club gaming manager Roger Pryor said poker machine takings were up 10 to 15 per cent during the two-week handout.

"The increase was pretty much across the board," Mr Pryor said. "The bar, restaurant and poker machine takings were all up."

ClubsNSW Newcastle councillor and Hexham Bowling Club manager John Chin said he could not put the recent rise in poker machine revenue all down to the Government's stimulus package.

"Usually in December there is a bit of a spending spree, anyway," he said.

"Traditionally, most clubs get a good report. I'm not sure how much filtered into clubs from the government handout but there probably would be a percentage coming through.

"From my own club's point of view, we are matching what we were doing last year."

Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club chief executive officer Scott Williams said his club has been busy over the past two weeks.

"But I think that has more to do with the festive season and all the associated activities that go with it such as Christmas functions, ham raffles and people catching up with friends," he said.

Luke Walker, of Newcastle Panthers, said clubs in general were experiencing unprecedented hardship with poker machine tax, new smoking laws and economic hardship.

Mark Singleton, of Toronto Workers Club, said his club had not seen any difference in takings during the weeks of the government handout.

"And we are very happy not to get it [any benefit]. It was not meant for that purpose," Mr Singleton said.

Samaritans chief executive Cec Shevels has called for a ban on one-off, lump-sum payments to low-income earners, after learning of the increases.

Saddened but not surprised by the news, Mr Shevels slammed the Government's actions, calling for the payments to be absorbed into weekly benefits or pensions.

"There would be some people who got this bonus, which would be the biggest sum they had in their bank account for many years, and they have gone out and celebrated inappropriately," he said.

Mr Shevels recognised that not all stimulus package beneficiaries spent their money recklessly.

"Most acted responsibly buying food and paying bills, some even donated to the Samaritans," he said.

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