ClubsNSW representatives joined local club executives in raising concerns over the mandatory pre-commitment gaming reforms at the NSW Government’s public forum at Port Macquarie Panthers on Monday.
ClubsNSW directors also met with club staff at The Westport Club in the morning to discuss the impact of the Federal Government’s licence to gamble technology on the 12 clubs in the Port Macquarie area and the 518 staff employed by them.
The technology is the result of an agreement between Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie and the Prime Minister.
CEO of ClubsNSW Anthony Ball said the cost of installing mandatory pre-commitment would reverberate throughout the Port Macquarie area.
“This technology will cost local clubs more than $13 million to install.
“That is an enormous amount of money which will cause the loss of more than 170 jobs and strip hundreds of thousands of dollars from local sporting and welfare groups.
“Port Macquarie has always been an area with a thriving local club community. Typically when families travel to Port Macquarie for a holiday, they eat at one of the area’s 12 clubs.
“A report by KPMG estimated that the flow-on effect on the Port Macquarie economy will be in excess of $12 million annually.”
