Carlton FC In Hot Water Over Pokie Spending

Football clubs across Australia operate poker machines with the main goal of using the profits to give back to give back to the community. Most clubs stick to this model, but Carlton FC seems to have strayed after spending money that was meant for community projects on its football grounds.

Poker machine clubs are required to set aside 8.33% of their pokie profits to donate to community causes and organisations. As such, pokie venues are invaluable to the local community, as they offer up funding that benefits local residents.

In the 2014-15 financial year, Carlton FC earned $8.4 million from its poker machines at its clubs in Hobsons Bay. As such, at least $699 000 should have been spent on local initiatives – but community benefit statements show otherwise.

According to The Herald Sun, much of the pokie profits that were supposed to be donated to the Community Benefit Fund were actually spent at Ikon Park, one of Carlton FC’s football grounds. The club spent $15,272 on the spa, $53,724 on stadium wages and $86,640 on power. An additional $10,962 was spent on landscaping and $111,745 on consultants.

This shows a misappropriation of poker machine revenue, which does more harm than good for the local community. When clubs spending pokie profits on purposes other than those that it is intended for, local groups miss out. Healthcare groups, educational facilities and elderly care organisations rely on funding from pokies for their operating costs. As such, it is important that clubs like Carlton donate pokie profits appropriately.

There is no word on whether or not there will be any recourse for Carlton FC’s misappropriation of funds. We will keep you posted as this story develops.