NSW Returned and Services League president Mick Bainbridge has called for a stop to clubs using the letters ‘RSL’ in their names due to the confusion between the clubs and the charity, which is a separate entity, as well as concerns over gambling.
The Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and licensed clubs separated after reformation of liquor laws in the 1970s, but have remained closely affiliated since.
The call comes after both the RSL, a not-for-profit in the support of veterans, and the Sydney Morning Herald analysed donations from RSL clubs.
Figures showed that only four per cent of club donations reach returned soldiers.
Licensed clubs under the RSL, Diggers, Soldiers and Memorial banners are estimated to have made $1 billion profit in 2023.
Clubs are entitled to a tax rebate if a proportion of their gambling profits are donated appropriately, and in 2023 $35 million was given under the ClubGrants scheme, which included $1.3 million going to veteran welfare services.
Bainbridge said that times have changed since the 1970s, and now that gambling is a major part of club business, he was concerned about the effects of problem gambling on veterans.
“We cannot under any circumstances allow confusion between the not-for-profit that exists to provide support to veterans and their families, and a business reliant on gambling and the service of alcohol,” he told the SMH.
Veterans have been shown to have a greater susceptibility to gambling problems, with 13.4 per cent reporting some level of harm from gambling, and 4.6 per cent with clinically significant levels of harm.
The Herald analysis showed that the $1.3 million directed to veteran welfare was roughly the same figure as was donated by the Castle Hill RSL to its own golf club, as well as a similar figure donated by the Seven Hills Toongabbie RSL Club in two separate grants to its golf club.
The ClubGrants scheme is currently under review by the Minns government to ensure it complies with current standards as well as ensuring that it provides value for money.
In the RSL submission, Bainbridge asked for a specific funding category of veteran welfare be created.
The RSL submission further requested that all clubs currently using defence-related branding and imagery donate to this new category, to ensure veteran recognition not be tokenistic.
Premier Minns is also of the opinion that grants to veterans were too low, considering the profit made by RSL clubs in 2023, and has taken Bainbridge’s public statement very seriously.
David Harris, Minister for both veterans and gaming and racing, said the RSL’s submission would be considered along with hundreds of others after the review’s findings were available. He did not make a comment on the branding issue, saying it was a matter between the two parties.
While RSL and Services Clubs Association president Margot Smith also declined to comment on the branding issue, she pointed out that her association had been part of a submission that specifically requested an allowance for clubs to donate to groups delivering services to vulnerable people across the state.
“The current guidelines prohibit clubs from funding services that benefit people in other communities, which reduces the ClubGrants support available to organisations that support vulnerable people – including veterans – as this support tends to be provided statewide,” Smith said.
