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Russell Crowe's proposal to purge the South Sydney Leagues Club of 160 poker machines has caused a stir, raising hopes in some quarters that other clubs will follow suit.
The co-owners of the Rabbitohs team, Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court, believe dumping the pokies during the club's refurbishment is good business.
The move is expected to cost the leagues club up to $7 million a year in lost gaming revenue.
But the Oscar-winning actor and his partner have asked the leagues club's board to reopen next year without pokies, breaking the dependence of rugby league clubs on socially destructive gaming revenue.
The Salvation Army has rushed to support the proposal, saying it would help to make it work.
"This is a watershed moment in addressing the scourge of gambling, after governments have failed," spokesman Pat Daley said.
"We are hoping this is a start. The rugby league can really set an example with this and other clubs follow suit."
The proposal was also supported by anti-pokies campaigner, the Reverend Tim Costello, who described it as courageous.
Mr Holmes a Court said today the move had little to do with his and Crowe's personal view that poker machines were not right for the area.
"It's not about imposing our personal view on other people," he told Southern Cross Broadcasting.
"What we are saying is it's better business.
"Frankly, not a lot of my friends want to go out and have a cold beer and watch someone go past who has just seen their last dollar go into a machine.
"That beer tastes a bit bitter; that's not a good night out."
He said pokies were not in line with his club's goals for improving its community.
"It's not right for us," he said.
"There is so much more support out there if we go a different way.
"Our sponsors are telling us that the more we do in the community the more they will support the rugby league team.
"We are finding that there is an audience out there for a different way."
Clubs NSW CEO David Costello said some clubs had an unhealthy reliance on poker machine revenue.
"Some clubs are dependent to 70 to 80 per cent of their revenue from gaming," he told ABC Radio.
"While many clubs are making a concerted effort to reduce that, I still think there is an unhealthy reliance on the level of gambling.
"There is no doubt that there is a negative social impact, but to what degree nobody truly understands."
Mr Costello said clubs were being encouraged to seek alternative revenue from providing retail space and fitness clubs.
News of the plan comes on the same day the NSW Government says it will allow pubs to introduce the Keno lottery game, but denies it is in return for multi-million dollar donations from the hotel industry.
- AAP
