Pokie Players have put more then $54 million into video poker machines at local pubs and clubs throughout Redlands last year. But is the money that was collected going back into communities as it supposed to.

No, says Relationships Australia, a family support group that helps problem gamblers among other things. Brett Smith a Gambling Help counselor from Relationships America said that many people have argued whether poker machines play an essential role in the community by contributing funds.

Brett Smith says, “However, only a small proportion of the money collected from poker machines is actually used to support the community".

Government statistics show that in the 2005-06 financial year only $35,270,775 was actually allocated to projects by the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for Queensland. During the same time period $1,775,560,495 was gambled on pokies in Queensland pubs and clubs.










- 2008-02-21