Gaming machines cheapest fund raisers

31 July 2003

Media Release
Available for immediate use

Gaming machines cheapest fund raisers

Gaming machines are the most cost effective means of fund raising and it’s time that the Department of Internal Affairs started acknowledging it.

The Hospitality Association Chief Executive Bruce Robertson says his members have had enough of the DIA’s endless complaining about operators of pokies, who return more money to the community than anyone, including lotto and the TAB.

Responding to claims that gaming machine site operators were skimming, Mr Robertson said Association research showed that of the three major community fund raisers, gaming machines were the most cost effective.

The cost of fund raising as a percentage of the proceeds after the punters have received their winnings showed pokies’ costs at less than 33%. This compares very favourably with lotto at 36% and the TAB at over 43%. Mr Robertson said that if the Department of Internal Affairs were concerned at the level of costs associated with fund raising then they should turn their attention to the least inefficient first.

“The operators of gaming machines were entitled to actual, reasonable and necessary costs - costs which by comparison with others are already reasonable. Not only are gaming machines the most cost effective means of fund raising, they also provide the greatest percentage payout to the players at around 90% which compares very well with TAB at 80% and lotto at 55%,” concluded Mr Robertson.

ENDS

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