No Pokies At Essendon

A grassroots group of Essendon fans advocating for the club to make a meaningful and public commitment to exit the pokies business.

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

Congrats to Port Melbourne, not just on selling their pokies but on being ambitious and leading with action, not words.

It’s another Essendon link at Port too with EFC director Kate O’Sullivan also on the board of the Moonee Valley Racing Club, who purchased Port’s pokies.

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

These figures should be viewed in the context of the June 2025 Social Cost of Gambling to Victoria report, which showed 2/3rds of pokies losses come from those experiencing problem gambling.

https://t.co/HamfWffh1z

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

New data on player losses for FY24-25 saw $40m lost on AFL club controlled pokies in Victoria, $14m coming from Essendon’s 2 venues.

NoPE continues to call for Essendon to commit to exiting the gambling industry, and for the State Gov to provide pathways for early forfeiture.

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

The amounts are basically the same as the previous year, not adjusting for inflation. EFC’s venues have now seen $250m lost in the past 20 years and $1.5 billion across all Vic clubs.

Essendon’s losses come disproportionately from its Melton venue, despite having less machines.

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

Thanks to all Essendon members who voted for our resolution or engaged with it with an open mind.

Didn’t get the win, but to gain 36.2% of the vote after the club recommended members vote against it, is a good result that gives us plenty to build on.

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

More detail about the resolution can be found here
https://t.co/HslX4QJ2xA

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

Pressure from members is required to ensure that this time Essendon's talk is followed by action & an exit from pokies.

Voting on NoPE's resolution closes on the 17th. Essendon members should have received an email from CorpVote Voting Services last Tuesday with a link to vote.

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

To vote, check your emails - you should have received an email last Tuesday from CorpVote Voting Services.

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

Essendon members still have until the 17th to vote on the resolution aimed at ensuring the club plans a move away from pokies.

The amendment has no financial impact on the club but is a chance to shape what kind of club we want Essendon to be.

Right now, we’re lagging behind.

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

@Aquaman_73 EFC’s venues are run under club licences and can only be transferred to another club (eg. sporting/community clubs or RSL) who get the same community spending tax incentives.

They can’t be taken over by a pub chain, to line the pockets of a Mathieson type.

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

Voting has opened on NoPE's resolution that would require the Essendon Football Club to acknowledge the social-harm that their pokies contribute to.

We believe this is an important step towards seeing Essendon finally commit to ending their reliance on gambling revenue. 1/

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

Getting the required 75% to pass is an uphill battle but the more votes we get, the stronger the message to the club.

Spread the word online, in your Bombers group chat, at your work Christmas party, to the person you spot at the shops wearing an Essendon hat - and vote!

5/5

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

The most important thing now is to vote!

Voting is open to 2024 Essendon members aged 18+ and runs until 5pm (AEDT) December 17th.

Eligible members should have received an email from CorpVote Voting Services this morning with a link to vote, along with a unique access ID.

4/

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

We spoke to 3AW this morning about our push for constitutional change at the Essendon Football Club.

Listen below:
https://t.co/clWZT3ly7L

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

And afterwards to 3AW.

You can listen at the link below:

https://t.co/clWZT3ly7L

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

We’ve been a little quiet on here but don’t let that fool you, we’ve been busy advocating for Essendon Football Club to put an end to their socially destructive pokies operations.

Here’s a 🧵 of media coverage of NoPE that we’ll keep updating, to show what we’ve been up to…

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

NoPE president Mike Read spoke to Sammy J on ABC Melbourne Breakfast this morning.

1 hour 45 minutes in at the link below
https://t.co/08tkYuEkkh

[No Pokies At Essendon @NoPE_Essendon]

👋

[Real Footy (AFL) @agerealfooty]

A group of Essendon supporters is confident it has forced a vote on a change to the club’s constitution that would acknowledge the social harm its poker machine licences have caused. https://t.co/CJSUbYISHo