Earlier this week, the Australian Football League announced that it would be selling off all of its poker machines. While many sports clubs and leagues across the country depend on profits generated by poker machines for funding, the AFL wants to distance itself from that system – and the move is being applauded by anti-gambling advocates.
Senator Nick Xenophon, one of the biggest proponents for gambling reform, has spoken out, lauding the AFL for its brave choice. He believes that the league is showing leadership and hopes that its decision will inspire other leagues to take a similar course of action.
The AFL owns at least 7% of the poker machines in Australian. The profits generated by those games have been used as funding for the league over the course of the past few years, but now the AFL is going to find other sources. A similar situation occurred earlier this year when the North Melbourne Kangaroos also decided to disassociate itself from the gambling market.
Xenophon is pleased with the plan, and hopes that the Australian Rugby League will be the next sports body to consider selling its poker machines.
