Considering our club replaced three machines last year, and before that we hadn't replaced machines in five years, we definitely can't afford to replace and upgrade 30 machines in three years.  

So I was surprised to hear our local member, Stephen Jones, saying the government understood the concerns of small clubs. 

Apparently Mr Jones thinks our club, with 30 poker machines, is a big club and can afford this technology just as easily as a big casino. 

Mr Jones needs to understand that a club with 30 pokies is in no way a big club, and that there is no way that a club like ours can meet the government's demands. 

Dapto Bowling Club celebrates its 65th anniversary this year and over that time we've given a lot back to sporting groups and the community.

We want to be able to keep doing that for another 65 years, but this legislation puts that at risk.  

If Mr Jones really understood clubs he would be helping to amend this legislation instead of unquestioningly defending it. 

Darren McNaught

CEO, Dapto Bowling Club