The Labor Party owned Canberra Labor Clubs contributed barely 9% of poker machine profits to community groups. By contrast, the 20 smallest clubs in Canberra donated 48 per cent of profits to community groups. Clubs are required to give at least 8 per cent of poker machine profits to community groups.
The Canberra Labor Club runs 488 poker machines, each making a net profit of about $29,000, well above most big clubs. At its main venue, in Belconnen, it turned a profit of $31,300 for each of the 282 machines, outstripping every other venue in the city.
Canberra’s 49 clubs made a profit of nearly $96 million on poker machines after tax and running costs – equivalent to $350 for every Canberra aged 18 or over.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
The Labor Club group gave $2.5 million to the Labor Party in the same year, nearly DOUBLE the amount they gave to community groups.
Source: Labor Party-owned Canberra Labor Clubs among smallest contributors to community groups of any clubs