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Australians are the biggest losers in the world when it comes to gambling.
We’re losing $32 billion dollars each year, according to the Alliance for Gambling Reform.
A third of that money is funnelled through NSW gaming machines, cementing our status as the ‘poker machine capital’. It’s a lucrative cycle: the industry rakes in massive profits, then secures generous tax breaks under the ClubGRANTS scheme by reinvesting only a fraction of that wealth into ‘community benefit activities’.
The reality? For years, this has been a “back-scratching” exercise in which some clubs essentially acted as their own beneficiaries, funding their own projects with tax-discounted funds.
A Year of Silence
Since July 2023, the Minns Government has been “reviewing” this lack of oversight. NCOSS blew the whistle on these systemic failures early on, providing a roadmap for reform that prioritises vulnerable communities over gambling profits.
Yet, nearly a year after submissions closed, we are still waiting. The review isn’t just slow; it’s stagnant.
This week, I spoke to ABC Sydney about the stalled review, urging the government to finalise it and reform the scheme.
We want to see:
- Support for people who need it most: Redirect funds to ensure it has a greater focus towards those in need, especially for people experiencing poverty
- Restore public trust: Create transparency in the way grants are allocated. Put social service experts in the decision-maker’s seat, not just club boards.
- Community Voice: Giving local communities a real say in what projects actually help them.
There is a human cost to the delay
Given the devastating impact of gambling harm, including financial ruin, mental illness, and domestic violence, I’m sure NCOSS members are equally frustrated at the glacial pace of this review. Please join me in urging the government to release the review as early as possible.