Level of funding directed toward veteran support by Returned and Services League venues operating electronic gambling machines

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Author(s): Francis, Louise ; Livingstone, Charles ; Hallett, Jonathan

Journal: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Year Published: 2024

Date Added: March 27, 2025

In recent years, the gambling industry has made considerable effort in promoting the notion that gambling revenue can fund charities and ‘good causes.’ In Australia, Returned and Services League (RSL) venues are tasked with providing health and welfare services to veterans. However, the extent to which this occurs, as well as the role of gambling revenue in benefiting veterans, is poorly understood. The present study examined financial contributions that RSL venues make to support veterans through gambling revenue. The researchers assessed the funds provided to support the health and well-being of living veterans, commemorate fallen veterans, and reduce gambling harms among veterans. Overall, it was found that under 10% of funds were directed toward supporting veterans. Moreover, only a small proportion of funds was used to address gambling harms among veterans. The results indicate that most funds raised through gambling by RSL venues are not directed toward the veteran community.

Citation: Francis, L., Livingstone, C., & Hallett, J. (2024). A review of Returned and Services League venues operating electronic gambling machines in Victoria, Australia and the level of funding contributed to veterans. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 48(1), 100214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100214

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100214

Keywords: community impacts ; Electronic Gambling Machines (EGMs) ; gambling regulations ; public health ; veterans

Topics: Game Types ; Information for Operators ; Priority Populations ; Public Health ; Slots and VLTs ; Venue and Community ; Veterans

Conceptual Framework Factors: Environment - Social and Economic Impacts ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Social - Social Demographics ; Gambling Environment ; Environment - Public Policy ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources

Study Design: Qualitative Case Study

Geographic Coverage: Australia, Victoria

Study Population: The researchers examined financial records from 235 not-for-profit organizations in the Australian state of Victoria. Of these, 22% were RSL sub-branches. Data from community support claims were available from the regulator’s website.

Sampling Procedure: The researchers assessed 24 types of claims in total, labelled as belonging to ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ claims. They then conducted two types of analyses on these claims. First, they examined records from 2009 to 2019, adjusted for inflation, and combined them into three categories. Next, they conducted a more detailed assessment of all licensed RSL sub-branches for a three-year time period (from 2016-2017 to 2018-2019).

Study Funding:

LF’s PHD was partially funded (2014-2017) by an Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship.