Gambling Revenues as a Public Administration Issue: Electronic Gaming Machines in Victoria

Abstract

Gambling activities and the revenues derived have been seen as a way to increase economic development in deprived areas. There are also, however, concerns about the effects of gambling in general and electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in particular, on the resources available to the localities in which they are situated. This paper focuses on the factors that determine the extent and spending of community benefit-related EGM-generated resources within Victoria, Australia, focusing in particular on the relationships between EGM activity and socio-economic and social capital indicators, and how this relates to the community benefit resources generated by gaming.

Gambling’s community contributions: does the community benefit?

“…Some limited research has examined aspects of gambling industry self-legitimation (see for example Jones et al 2009;Cai et al 2012;Yani-de-Soriano et al 2012;Geiger and Cuzzocrea 2017;Leung and Snell 2017). Research on gambling sector support via regulated or mandated community giving or like programs is similarly limited (see Livingstone 2007;Con Walker 2009;Brown et al 2011;Livingstone et al 2012;Pickernell et al 2013;Livingstone et al 2017;Egerer et al 2018).…”

“…Australian clubs, incorporated as notfor-profit mutual organizations, are formed around sporting, social, or cultural interests. Such clubs have been identified as important avenues for older Australians to experience independence (Simson-Young and Russell 2009) and contributors to the social capital of communities (Hoye and Nicholson 2012;Pickernell et al 2013). Most Australian jurisdictions allow club venues to operate electronic gambling machines (EGMs) (if approval criteria are met).…”