Pubs & Clubs - Why They Deserve More Investment

Over the last couple of months, I’ve learnt that pubs and clubs with pokies get, as much as 90% of their revenue from these machines. The truth is, without this revenue, thousands of pubs and clubs would close their doors.

Putting aside what you think about gambling, relying so heavily on a revenue stream that’s subject to legislative change isn’t a great business model.

Pubs and clubs are dealing with the uncertainty of government policy and changing local community sentiments, and this  makes it incredibly difficult for them to plan for the future.

This is one of many problems venues across the country face, and as a subsection of entertainment, venues are struggling to see innovation within the sector.

This is an opportunity for startups. The market in Australia alone is estimated at $20 billion for 2024 and adding the crossover for many venue products into the broader entertainment industry, it’s a sizable market for more founders to be building in. 

The industry needs to invite innovation by encouraging more builders and founders into the space to show there is opportunity to build great companies.  Ideally investment then follows along with the creation of better pathways for technology adoption which signals to outside capital that the industry itself is seeing a return on  its own investment.