RSL Gives Back Just 1.5 Percent of Gambling Revenue to Veterans, Study Finds

A 10-year study shows Returned Services clubs took $2.1 billion in gambling revenue, but veterans’ support received only 1.5 percent.

A photo taken in Melbourne, Australia on April 13, 2011, shows a general view taken inside a gaming venue with poker machines. William West/AFP via Getty Images

A 10-year study found that Returned Services League (RSL) clubs in Victoria return only a small fraction of their gambling revenue to the community.

The clubs are licensed to operate pokie machines (also called poker machines, slot machines, or fruit machines) and, from 2009 to 2019, made revenues of $2.097 billion (US$1.32 billion) from gamblers.