Review of the Registered Clubs Industry in NSW - Clubs NSW

1 Introduction
IPART also considers that it is important that stakeholders note four key aspects of
this review. These are that:
the terms of reference are very supportive of the industry
the terms of reference ask IPART to consider the diversity of constituents in the
industry, in particular the varying ability of clubs of different size, type and
location to provide services that meet the needs of members and the community,
while continuing to be financially viable
the review’s focus is on the industry as a whole
the review is not revisiting government policy in certain areas.
The following sections discuss each of these aspects in more detail. The terms of
reference for this review are provided in full in Appendix A.
1.1.1 Terms of reference are very supportive of the registered clubs industry
The opening statements of the terms of reference outline the NSW Government’s
intention to facilitate a sustainable industry and also acknowledge the valuable social
and economic contribution registered clubs make to NSW’s social infrastructure and
services.
However, not all stakeholders share this positive view of the contributions made by
registered clubs in NSW. A number of submissions argued that the review needed to
take into account the social harm caused by problem gambling. 4
IPART also notes that clubs do attract some favourable treatment from the
Government (for example, lower rates of taxation on gaming machine revenue
compared with hotels and higher numbers of gaming machines permitted per
venue). The case for government support of the clubs industry rests principally
upon the social benefits clubs provide, and the assumption that these benefits
outweigh any costs they impose on their local communities.
For this reason, IPART considered it necessary to examine both the benefits and the
costs associated with the registered clubs industry in NSW in developing
recommendations that will assist the industry to flourish. IPART considers the
Government’s role in supporting the industry should be commensurate with its
assessment of the extent to which the state benefits from the existence of the
industry. This issue is explored in greater detail in Chapter 3.
4 Responsible Gambling Fund Trustees submission, 27 July 2007, p 3; Wesley Community Legal Service
submission, 27 July 2007, p 1; Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) submission, 27 July 2007,
p 9; Gambling Impact Society (NSW) Inc (GIS) submissions, 21 July 2007, p 2, 31 March 2008, p 1.
20 IPART Review of the Registered Clubs Industry in NSW