Cyclists ask for brake on gambling changes

Due to changes to allow offshore gambling, Marlborough’s cycling community have shared their concerns about the impact on community sport funding with the Government.

Cuddon Cycling Marlborough has written a letter to Parliament saying the Online Casino Gambling Bill threatens a vital funding stream for grassroots sports that helps keep youth events affordable, supports athlete development, and maintains essential infrastructure.

The club receives approximately $15,000 annually from trust gambling proceeds which go into traffic management, health and safety, coaching, and equipment upgrades for Marlborough cyclists.

“We rely on these funds to make the sport of cycling accessible and safe, and removing this support would be devastating”, said club president Ross Frater.

The Bill, as currently drafted, would allow online casino operators to retain profits without the same community obligations current gambling trusts return to community efforts.

Without this support, he says the viability of their club and many similar community sports organisations would be under serious threat.

Ross says that the changes “abandon the principle that gambling should benefit the community”.

“Sport is a proven tool to improve physical and mental health, youth engagement, and community connection which are key Government health priorities.

“Gambling creates social harm, and returning revenue to communities is a recognised form of mitigation so allowing online operators to avoid this responsibility is unfair and unsustainable.

“Parliament has an opportunity to protect grassroots sport, public health, and community wellbeing by ensuring online gambling continues to return tangible benefits”.