The AFL and Pokies [in progress]

The Heraldsun reported on October 26 that Victorian AFL clubs creamed more than $88 million from pokies punters in the last financial year, with Hawthorn and Carlton leading the way.

In March 2016, The Heraldsun reported that even clubs that privately want to be rid of the machines are in too deep to get out now.

Of the $18 million generated by its pokies last year, Carlton spent $15.8 million running the venues, meaning a gaming surplus of about $2.2 million. That against the backdrop of a $2.7 million loss for the football club and a $1.6 million loss in the year before.

Short of the AFL using part of the $2.5 billion broadcast rights deal to rid football of pokies, it is difficult to see a club extricating itself.