Review of the Registered Clubs Industry in NSW - Clubs NSW

2 The registered clubs industry in NSW
the Court of the need for the club and that appropriate amenities were available. By
1956, the number of registered clubs had increased to 932.
Figure 2.1 New and de-registered clubs 1900–2008
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
-100
New premises (primary axis)
Premises revoked (primary axis)
Total premises (secondary axis)
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
-200
1900-1909
1910-1919
1950-1959
1940-1949
1930-1939
1920-1929
1990-1999
1980-1989
1970-1979
1960-1969
2000-2008
Data source: OLGR data and IPART’s analysis.
Before 1956, the operation of gaming machines had occurred in some premises but it
was not until May of 1956 that their operation was legalised following considerable
community debate. It has been argued that clubs’ not-for-profit status, membership
requirements and social aims led to them being granted this privilege. 7
Over the next 40 years, the industry experienced constant growth, with the number
of club premises increasing consistently at approximately 2 per cent a year. During
this time, various changes to regulation concerning liquor and gaming affected the
industry. Stakeholders have identified the introduction of random breath testing and
the introduction of gaming machines into hotels 8 as two important changes during
this time.
In more recent years, the number of club members has continued to grow (at
approximately 3 per cent a year between 2003 and 2007) 9 but growth in the number
of clubs has stalled.
7 Hing, N., Changing Fortunes: Past, Present and Future Perspectives on the Management of Problem
Gambling by New South Wales Registered Clubs, 2000.
8 Between 1984 and 1997, hotels in NSW were permitted to operate up to 10 “approved amusement
devices” that differed from gaming machines operated by clubs in their functionality and appeal. In
1996, hotels were permitted to operate, from 1 April 1997, up to 15, and later up to 30, of the same
type of gaming machines operated by clubs. It should also be noted that gaming machines include
what are commonly referred to as poker machines as well as approved amusement devices.
9 Allen Consulting Group (ACG), Socio-Economic Impact Study of Clubs in NSW (2007), 2008.
Review of the Registered Clubs Industry in NSW IPART 27