Poke in the eye for rich clubs

Carlton pokie king Bruce Mathieson when asked about the Bulldogs' proposed plan: "I don't know anything about it - but it doesn't seem right to me." Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON would be the biggest loser under a radical "pokies tax" scheme proposed by the cash-strapped Western Bulldogs.

The plan would see the spoils of bumper gaming revenues shared by all AFL clubs.

The proposal comes after the AFL this week proposed a fan tax to charge supporters more to attend blockbuster matches.

In a submission to the league released by the Dogs yesterday, the club said: "The growth in scale of, and dependency on, poker-machine revenue in AFL clubs, and the growing revenue differentials between larger and smaller Victorian franchises in this area, have been to the detriment of the competition.

"The Western Bulldogs believe that a system in which club poker machine profits over a certain proportion of gross club revenue were contributed to a common pool for equitable distribution, would be a preferable model for a 'luxury tax' and might have the additional benefit of reducing the incentive of clubs to increase their own dependence, and their fans' exposure, to poker machine use."

The Bulldogs control just 45 poker machines compared with Carlton's arsenal of 360 gaming machines.

Rivers of gold are flowing into Visy Park thanks to the five pokies venues gifted to the club by pokies king and Blues powerbroker Bruce Mathieson.

The club's annual report reveals revenues from gaming topped $4.5 million last year and will soar again this year because of changes to legislation.

Asked about the Bulldogs' plan yesterday, Mr Mathieson said: "I don't know anything about it - but it doesn't seem right to me."

"But I'll leave it up to the club. They actually own the licences," Mathieson said.

Nine out of 10 Victorian AFL clubs control gaming machines.

North Melbourne, which has adopted a no-gambling policy under president James Brayshaw, is the only club without them.

Hawthorn's single pokies venue - Vegas at Waverley Gardens - is one of Victoria's most profitable.

Punters lost $11.69 million there last year.

Another Bulldogs proposal involves the centralisation of some funds derived from the sale of club memberships.

But the Dogs said they were opposed to a luxury tax on football department spending.

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