The announcement by the South Sydney Leagues Club Chief Executive Officer, Peter Holmes a Court, to provide a gaming-free environment when the club reopens in 2008 was lauded by Christians and others for bucking a trend to have pokies machine in the club.
The President of the Baptist Union of Australia, Revered Dr. Ross Clifford, described the announcement as a 'creative initiative which was commendable and refreshing' and concurred with Mr. Holmes a Court that Redfern was not an ideal spot to have pokies machines since the residents could ill afford it.
Reverend Clifford has called for a new approach to fund community welfare programs without being reliant on the gaming machines; moreover, he also said it should be a federal election issue.
"We need a new vision for how we fund our community welfare programs, and raise government revenue, without such a reliance on gaming machines," he said.
"It is important for both major parties to clearly set out their policy platforms for reducing state government reliance on gaming before the federal election."
The Salvation Army had also given their support to the Club's scheme to purge out the machines, saying it is a 'courageous' move that has the full support of the community.
Reverend Tim Costello, the CEO of World Vision and an avid anti-gambling campaigner, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that it was, "Refreshing to hear a voice of sanity trolling back to what has been a surreal situation."
The Federal Treasurer, Peter Costello, had also endorsed Mr. Holmes a Court announcement saying it is fantastic and hopes the club can go from strength to strength.
However, not everyone was keen on the idea. Lukewarm support was given by politicians who argued that the pokies tax revenue was an integral part of their State budget.
The New South Wales Gaming and Racing Minister, Graham West, told the Daily Telegraph news publication that the government needed the revenue from gambling to fund essential services such as hospitals and schools.
This notion was also backed by the Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, who was frank in saying the State Government will need to take a 'very long and hard look' at the budget if taxes from the pokies revenue was eliminated.
The decision proposed by Mr Holmes a Court, with the support of Russell Crowe, an actor who is also a co-owner of the club, would now need the approval of the Club board.