Proudly Pokies Free is all about reducing the harm caused by the pokies in Australia. The pokies have been a fixture of our venues for far too long, and it's well beyond time for a change.
Proudly Pokies Free is a youth-focused campaign which raises awareness about the damage caused by the pokies in Australia.
By celebrating and promoting pokies free venues we aim to change the conversation around the pokies and make it clear that we can have a venue culture that doesn't rely on them. A venue culture we can truly be proud of.
We want to see less people playing pokies, more people visiting pokies free venues, and less pokies overall.
NSW has 50% of Australia's pokies so the campaign is starting here but we aim to spread throughout the rest of Australia.
"Pokies are designed for addiction. They are rigged to win and have preyed upon Australians since the fifties. They have, and will continue to devastate our community until they are ripped out, which is why here at ‘The Horse’ we are proud to be pokies free.”
"I just don't believe that one member of the community should subsidise another"
"It's great being pokies free, the community love it and it's great to see your patrons walk out the door with a smile still on their face"
We support venues that focus on hospitality and creativity over unethical revenue. Choose Proudly Pokies Free.
Tim Freedman (The Whitlams)
JOYRIDE
Left.
Wild Honey
Bad Deep DJs
+Secret Guests
On Sunday October 23rd, Proudly Pokies Free will launch their campaign at Oxford Art Factory. With help from some of Sydney’s favourite artists, this event is an opportunity to promote live music as a pillar of Sydney’s vibrant nightlife.
The night will feature performances from a diverse range of Sydney acts in support of the campaign. Included in the bill is an intimate set from Tim Freedman, frontman of The Whitlams.
Also playing, is Sydney favourite JOYRIDE, and performances from surf psych newcomers Wild Honey, electronic duo Left., and Bad Deep DJs. Very special secret guests will also be announced on the night, as well as speeches from guest speakers.
Tickets are $15 via Moshtix or $20 on the door.
The Proudly Pokies Free campaign was inspired by the groundbreaking 2015 documentary, ‘KaChing! Pokie Nation’. The documentary exposes the predatory nature of the poker machine industry and reveals how the pokies are specifically designed to addict.
Following the launch of the campaign and beginning on the 1st of November we will be having 3 weeks of Kaching! Pokies Nation screenings at pokies free venues in Sydney. These events are all about getting more people to see the film and championing the venues in Sydney that don’t rely on pokies revenue.
