Armidale Servies CEO Scott Sullivan said the MOU gave the industry stability.

“It lets our industry know what our platform is going forward, so we can get on and grow our businesses, like we’re doing here in Armidale,” he said.

“We know we’ve got the support of the government in taxation and around prime areas. It gives us great stability to know that we’re not at loggerheads with the government over political matters and that we can just get on with our business and support the community.”

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Armidale Bowls Club manager Walter Sauer agreed, especially with his club’s continuing growth as the third stage of its renovations was nearing completion, either next month or early in December.

“It will give certainty with gaming tax, what we do in that area and what’s expected in that area,” he said.

Jane Sharp from the Armidale Golf Club said, with renovations only just completed, the club was moving into a very exciting time.

“Clubs are strong for the community, strong for sports. I’m sure if it wasn’t for the clubs the sporting industry wouldn’t be as strong as it is.”

Over the next four years, clubs are expected to contribute $3.4 billion in gaming tax and $348 million into the community through Club GRANTS.

Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the MOU also addressed issues surrounding jobs creation, skills delivery, responsible gambling and disaster and emergency support.

“The ClubGRANT scheme is always very popular for local sporting clubs that get sponsorship and sporting facilities, but the MOU covers a number of important areas,” he said.

“Voluntary precommitment and harm minimisation around gambling and lowering the actual jackpot that you can get at a club are also very important.”