Playing the game: AFL, NRL and the campaign against the Wilkie pokie reforms

[MaddAdam]

The Federal Government’s plan to introduce pre-commitment systems on pokie machines in order to reduce problem gambling has become a major political headache.

A campaign by Clubs Australia targeting Labor MPs in NSW has seen growing backbench concern in the Gillard government.

Now the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Australian Football League (AFL) are set to become involved in the debate.

Former Victorian Premier and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett claims the Wilkie reforms will cause AFL clubs to go under while Collingwood president eddie McGuire has labelled the plan a “footy tax”.

Very interesting take from a pokies expert

http://theconversation.edu.au/playi...ampaign-against-the-wilkie-pokie-reforms-3538

 

[finders]

NO AFL clubs would "go under" and the AFL should not be supporting the RL as they would have clubs go to the wall as the millions that they have received from unfortunate pokie addicts over the last 60 years that has kept their dirty sport afloat.

You only have to see how low class and grasping that thugby is when they spruik betting odds during their games on TV.

Bad move AD!You NEVER give your opposition any leg up!

 

[AllFooty4]

NO AFL clubs would "go under" and the AFL should not be supporting the RL as they would have clubs go to the wall as the millions that they have received from unfortunate pokie addicts over the last 60 years that has kept their dirty sport afloat.

You only have to see how low class and grasping that thugby is when they spruik betting odds during their games on TV.

Bad move AD!You NEVER give your opposition any leg up!

You're a tool.

 

[damochandler]

the only reason we are having these reforms like these are. because labor needed wilkies vote and they agreed to bring in these reforms. he's already said if they remove them, he will take back his support

 

[gurncentral]

the only reason we are having these reforms like these are. because labor needed wilkies vote and they agreed to bring in these reforms. he's already said if they remove them, he will take back his support

What's your point?

 

[damochandler]

What's your point?

we wouldn't have these reforms if we didn't have a hung parliment

do you think they would have brought this is if there wasn't a hung parliment and they were desperate to get the support of the independants

 

[gurncentral]

we wouldn't have these reforms if we didn't have a hung parliment

do you think they would have brought this is if there wasn't a hung parliment and they were desperate to get the support of the independants

So? Are the reforms good or bad?

 

[The Punter]

I find it more interesting how this move will affect Gillard than my footy club.

Anything that reduces the effect of pokies on the community is a good thing.

State Governments in the last decade had the chance, with huge surpluses, to ween off pokie revenue by reducing the number of pokies in the community. They didn't.

Unfortunately, it almost certainly won't happen, and, fortunately, it will mean the end of the current Federal Government.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

if clubs need to find other revenue sources, go out and find them. Nothing wrong with pokies reform

 

[TheOldXav]

Unfortunately, it almost certainly won't happen, and, fortunately, it will mean the end of the current Federal Government.

I'm fairly certain the current Govt. was finished or dead before this issue. I wonder if the WB, who have a major pokie setup will still keep Julia as their No 1 ticket holder.

 

[The Punter]

I meant the literal end of the Gillard Government. The reforms won't pass, Wilkie then crosses the floor, we all go back to the polls after the speaker resigns.

 

[mediumsizered]

I'm fairly certain the current Govt. was finished or dead before this issue. I wonder if the WB, who have a major pokie setup will still keep Julia as their No 1 ticket holder.

I think this is one of the more fascinating aspects of this debate. If Gillard's support of Wilkie's reforms hurts the WB financially, you would think that Smorgon would be less inclined to encourage Gillard's disingenuous support of the Bulldogs.