Charity gaming sector responds to community needs

DIA survey shows charity gaming sector responds effectively to community needs

“The DIA survey Where Do Gaming Machine Profits Go? is a great vindication of the fundamental objectives of the Gambling Act 2003,” the Chairman of the Charity Gaming Association, Rt Hon Paul East QC, said today.

“Class 4 gambling in pubs and clubs continues to deliver the benefits mandated by Parliament. In 2005 more than $317m was distributed to a huge range of worthwhile community groups. This is more than double what was distributed 5 years earlier even after inflation adjustments have been made.

“The survey shows that the community trustees who make the decisions did an excellent job of listening to the community to target the benefits into the areas the community wanted.

The results delivered by the multiple grant making organizations shows how dynamic and robust the system can be in delivering community value, as determined by the community itself. The gaming trusts and venues they operate in are part of the community.

“There are things which can be improved. We know that some communities generate fewer quality applications for grants than others. During the next twelve months the CGA will develop ways to enhance the opportunities for community groups to improve the quality of their applications and therefore increase the chances of receiving grant money.

Community trustees who make the decisions want the community’s money to go back into worthwhile community activities which have lasting value.

“We are fortunate to have such a robust system for distributing more than $300m dollars a year. Who can doubt the value of this unique system of harnessing the public’s desire to gamble for the benefit of the community?” concluded Paul East.

ENDS

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