Machine Reduction Goal Surpassed in Voluntary Surrender
Two venues have gone completely gaming machine free and 296 gaming machine authorisations have been surrendered since March 2024 as part of the ACT Government’s voluntary surrender program.
The voluntary electronic gaming machine surrender program, which ended yesterday, successfully reduced the number of machines in the territory to less than 3500.
With the success of the voluntary surrender program the number of machine authorisations in the ACT has decreased by almost 30 per cent from 4,956 in 2018 to 3494 today.
As part of the program, both The Statesman Hotel in Curtin and the Canberra Bowling Club in Forrest have voluntarily surrendered all of their gaming machine licenses.
Minister for Gaming Reform, Dr Marisa Paterson, expressed gratitude to the venues for their participation in the voluntary surrender process, but emphasized that there is still significant work ahead.
“The government has met its commitment to reduce poker machine authorisations in the ACT to 3,500 by 1 July 2025, and we remain dedicated to further reducing that number to 1,000 by 2045,” Minister Paterson said.
“I commend the licensees who have embraced the opportunity to participate in the voluntary surrender scheme. This is a crucial step in diversifying their revenue streams away from a reliance on revenue from electronic gaming machines.
“It’s especially pleasing to see some venues taking the opportunity to go pokie-free, providing great examples to the community and club sector that there is a strong future for clubs without machines.”
The $5.145 million voluntary surrender program offered venues $15,000 for each gaming machine authorisation surrendered, with $20,000 per authorisation for venues that gave up all of their gaming machines.
A total of 28 different venues surrendered gaming machine authorisations as part of the program. The Vikings Group and Canberra Southern Cross Club Group both led the way with 40 surrenders each, and the Canberra Raiders Sports Club Group surrendered 38.
“The ACT Government remains committed to reducing gambling-related harm, and we will continue working with local clubs to build a sustainable industry – one that fosters community connections without depending on gambling revenue,” Minister Paterson said.
The ACT Government last month opened a tender to conduct the Independent inquiry into the future of the ACT clubs industry. The tender closes on 20 May, with a report due back to government in early 2026.
Quotes attributable to Canberra Bowling Club President, David Kimber:
“The Canberra Bowling Club is using the revenue from surrendering our poker machines to help strengthen the club’s future.
“We have invested some of the returns into a live music setup, including a stage, PA system and curtains, and have plans for a large deck to provide an outside hospitality space.
“We are also taking this opportunity to bring forward a review of our medium to long-term future. We are looking at how we make ourselves sustainable, and what sort of club we will be with alternatives to pokies and gambling. We recognise the need to build on our bowls-related revenue. The increased cash reserve creates opportunities that we might not otherwise have had to invest in new strategic directions and broaden our sources of revenue.”
https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/marisa-paterson-mla-media-releases/2025/voluntary-surrender-program-exceeds-gaming-machine-reduction-target