Meeting at the Cooma Ex-Services Club, the clubs unanimously voted to reject independent MP Andrew Wilkie’s demands, agreeing they would damage local clubs without helping problem gamblers.

The clubs vowed to maintain their campaign against the proposals. The federal government’s plan for a licence to gamble for poker machines will cost the Monaro and south coast region at least 600 jobs, according to the club industry.

Federal member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly has previously said the deal with Mr Wilkie to introduce compulsory poker machine cards would threaten the viability of clubs in the Eden-Monaro electorate.

ClubsNSW CEO Anthony Ball told clubs at the meeting that a KMPG report showed mandatory pre-commitment would cost NSW at least 11,500 jobs and reduce the NSW budget by more than $1 billion over the next four years.

“Local MP Mike Kelly has already publicly expressed grave concerns that mandatory precommitment will kill off clubs in his electorate,” he said.

“Local clubs employ almost 2,000 people. Almost one third of these positions will go if the Government gives into the demands of a Tasmanian politician who received fewer votes than there are members of Mittagong RSL.

“Problem gambling academics have warned the federal government that mandatory precommitment will not help problem gamblers. This technology is a complete waste of money that will put clubs on the scrap heap and more than 600 locals out of a job.

“A far better solution would be to introduce a voluntary pre-commitment system that could help recreational gamblers set limits without needing to register for a licence,’’ Mr Ball said.

“ Our members want legislation based on a proper trial and not political spin and we ask the Prime Minster Julia Gillard to listen to the member for Eden Monaro, Mike Kelly’s concerns.”

Cooma Ex-Services Club general manager Kade Morrell said the actual reforms would not work and won’t suit the occasional gambler.

“We don’t want to rush into these things without substantial evidence that the system will work. Whatever is proposed it needs to be trialled first,” Mr Morrell said. Cooma Ex-Services Club has 4,000 members, and the set-up-cost for the proposed new technology is $990,000, with expected loss of income $1,026,997.