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September 25th, 2011 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda
FOOTY clubs will tell the AFL today they stand to lose tens of millions of dollars if the Gillard Government’s poker machine reforms are introduced.
AFL presidents have data showing that if gamblers had to set limits on pokie losses, league-affiliated clubs and pubs could lose $54 million.
The Federal Government has promised independent MP Andrew Wilkie it will introduce a system by 2014 where punters have to set loss limits before playing pokies or use “low risk” $1-a-spin machines.
Mr Wilkie has threatened that, if it doesn’t deliver, he will withdraw support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard, which could bring down the Government.
Figures seen by the Herald Sun show that from next year AFL clubs will get a $66 million windfall from almost 2000 of their poker machines.
But if half the machines had to be replaced to enable pre-commitments they face costs of $28 million.
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Former ALP national secretary Karl Bitar, who now works with Crown casino, provided clubs the calculations “months ago” to try to get them to join an NRL campaign against poker machine reform.
The issue will be discussed at a meeting between club presidents and AFL chief Andrew Demetriou today.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said on Friday the proposed changes would be a footy tax.
Anti-pokies campaigner Tim Costello has slammed Mr McGuire and said the AFL should support the policy that would help problem gamblers.
“I love my AFL but, with the $1.2 billion over five years in TV licence fees, the AFL does not need to depend on addiction and destroying lives,” he said.
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has played a key role in raising revenue loss concerns for AFL teams, backed by Clubs Australia which is running a campaign against changes.
– with Jessica Craven
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