Australian Football League side Essendon will "buck the trend" of many Victorian AFL clubs by "seeking to reduce its reliance on pokies profits," according to Grant Baker of the HERALD SUN. Nine Victorian clubs shared in almost A$90M ($65.5M) in net gaming revenue in the '14-15 financial year. The Bombers last month "announced they would no longer consider sponsorship deals with sports betting companies." Any move from Essendon to "ween itself from the huge revenues" brought in by its 190 machines is "expected to take years." Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell said, "Like the majority of clubs in the AFL industry we have a business model that is reliant on gaming generated revenue. Moving forward, we feel it is important that we explore ways to be less reliant on our venues." Geelong CEO Brian Cook said earlier this year that the Cats "also had a long-term vision to no longer rely on gaming to generate a profit." North Melbourne is the "only Victorian AFL club not to have pokies." The other nine footy clubs control 18 venues -- with a 19th on the way -- and more than 1,350 machines (HERALD SUN, 7/27).
