While debate continues to rage around poker-machine policy and a controversial cashless gaming trial, some New South Wales publicans are showing they can defy the odds and survive without the drip feed of profits from punters.
When Emma Reynolds and her husband Brendan bought a pub in Junee it came without poker machines, but that was a gamble the couple was prepared to take.
"I want people to pull up a chair and get lost in a conversation, which is a bit of a lost art," Ms Reynolds said.
"[Our customers] have an environment where they feel safe, happy and want to have a good time."
Tim Lay is a regular at the pub, where he enjoys the pokie-free environment
"I don't think the pokies are the essential piece," he said.Â
Mr Lahey said a pub should be a place to make community connections.
"There's lots of deals being done at pubs, especially in the past," he said
"That's how you find a contractor or a job".
No-slap tax break?
But pubs without poker machines are cut off from a lucrative revenue stream.
Data from NSW Liquor and Gaming's latest pub gambling revenue report shows the 22,500 pokies in the state's pubs brought in more than $900 million in revenue from April to June 2024.
That is roughly $40,000 per machine over a three-month period, although turnover would typically be higher in busy urban areas compared to quieter regional ones.
Ms Reynolds said pokie-free pubs deserved some special treatment.
"A tax break would be great for pubs that are independent and providing that community spirit without pokies." she said.
Leanne Boswell also runs a pokie-free pub at Temora, north of Wagga Wagga.
"We bought the pub without gambling facilities, so we've known no different," she said.
"But it's hard."
Ms Boswell has turned to cashing in donated cans and bottles and providing the bar at the local show.
"I don't think you buy a pub to make money" she said.
Stephanie Luck, who operates a pokie-free pub on the NSW Mid North Coast, said she always declined when she was approached to put the machines in her venue.
"I hate those things," she said.
"When you've got those machines there and people have that addiction to those machines, it takes away all the social aspect."
The state government recently announced it would be introducing measures to prevent gambling harm, including limits on cash inputs, political donations, and signage limits at venues.
Independent state MP Helen Dalton said extra support in the form of a tax break or an easing of the alcohol excise was needed for pubs that operated without pokies.Â
Taxes on alcohol in Australia are determined by the amount of alcohol content and increase every six months.
At the moment the excise on beer with alcohol content of 3.5 per cent is $43.22 per keg.
"I think it's really unfair to those pubs that are trying to run their businesses without poker machines," Ms Dalton said.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR) provides a map on its website of every pokie-free pub in Australia.
AGR director of advocacy Rebecca Paterson said more support was needed to help businesses break their reliance on gambling revenue.
"It's important to recognise it's really difficult to change a business model," she said.
"[But] it doesn't mean that you can't successfully do it."
Thank you to ABC Riverina for sharing our story
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