Sports clubs are responsible for many of the poker machines across the country. While many leagues depend on the income generated by gambling profits, the AFL wants to sever its ties to the poker machine market. To do so, the league plans on selling all of its pokies.
Andrew Demetriou, chief of the AFL, has made the decision and has recently informed local clubs about the move. He has decided to do so thanks to growing concerns over the harm that poker machines cause residents. Anti-gambling lobbying has taken centre stage in the public eye, and Demetriou wants to distance his league from the controversy.
While many clubs are on board with the idea, there are several that will not be pleased with the news. There are clubs across the country that depend on the income.
This isn’t the first time that a club has agreed not to take funds from poker machines and other gambling activities. Earlier this year, North Melbourne partnered up with not-for-profit organization World Vision. In order to maintain the partnership, the club agreed not to use any gambling profits to fund its activities.
