Delving deep inside Wests Ashfield

The State Emergency Cabinet Protocols vs. The 3:30 PM Meat Raffle
Q: During state crises, Premier O'Farrell could suspend normal parliamentary proceedings to declare a State of Emergency. Can he declare an emergency at Ashfield?

A: Tested under Resolution 618. At 3:28 PM, Barry called an "Emergency Executive Motion" to halt HBG's veto powers before an NRL deadline expired. Senior Debenture Holder #1 stood up, picked up his raffle tickets, and pointed to the loudspeaker,

"State of Emergency?! Barry, it's 3:29 PM! The Sunday Meat Raffle caller is at the microphone. In this club, not even the Governor-General can suspend Standing Orders during the calling of the tray of pork chops!".
 
Classical Matches from the past.

The Match: May 10, 1992 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. The Magpies upset the Dragons 16–12 in an absolute mud bath.

Rain fell so heavily over Campbelltown that by half-time, numbers on the back of the jerseys were completely obliterated. The referee attempted to identify players by their socks, only to discover that half the Wests forward pack were playing in mismatched work socks they’d bought at the local Woolworths that morning. The match ball was never recovered and is believed to still be buried somewhere near the 20-meter line.
 
In the past, money from poker machines brought in plenty of cash, but those revenues are now dropping due to tougher rules and people spending less.

This means HBG can no longer rely on pokie money to fund the football team like they used to. Instead of putting all their funds into the Wests Tigers, HBG is spreading its risk by investing in non-sporting businesses, like property and hospitality venues, as well as branching out into other sports teams. The recent equity stakes in soccer ventures, partnering with historic club APIA Leichhardt to form Wests APIA FC, and taking an equity interest in the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.

The key person behind this shift is Dennis Burgess, the group’s Chairman and the major long-term investor (a debenture holder). Because his main goal is to protect the company's financial future and prevent money from being lost, his influence is keeping HBG focused on safe, diversified business moves and controlled joint ventures rather than spending heavily on the Wests Tigers.
 
In the past, money from poker machines brought in plenty of cash, but those revenues are now dropping due to tougher rules and people spending less.

This means HBG can no longer rely on pokie money to fund the football team like they used to. Instead of putting all their funds into the Wests Tigers, HBG is spreading its risk by investing in non-sporting businesses, like property and hospitality venues, as well as branching out into other sports teams. The recent equity stakes in soccer ventures, partnering with historic club APIA Leichhardt to form Wests APIA FC, and taking an equity interest in the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.

The key person behind this shift is Dennis Burgess, the group’s Chairman and the major long-term investor (a debenture holder). Because his main goal is to protect the company's financial future and prevent money from being lost, his influence is keeping HBG focused on safe, diversified business moves and controlled joint ventures rather than spending heavily on the Wests Tigers.
Just sell us problem solved for everyone
 
While other NRL clubs enjoy the security of modern governance that guarantees first priority investment in their football team, the Wests Tigers are the only club with this unique governance who remains on dangerous footing.

Pokies Dominated HBG’S Total Revenue until the 2024 financial period, making up nearly 53% of HBG’s entire revenue base.

Wests Ashfield/HBG Pokie Revenue
FY 2023, Total Group revenue $87.4m
Pokie contribution 52.9% Peak gaming recovery period.

2024-2026-Total Group revenue plateaued around $100m.
Pokie contribution 48%-50% of total revenue
Trending Downward, Cost-of-living impacts, regulatory reforms, cashless trial costs, and rising tax,compliance expenses squeeze net margins.

What happens if those side investments go sour?
While raw pokie dollars appeared to rise from FY21 to FY23, the net yield and profit margins per machine are shrinking, HBG is using its capital to bet on side ventures.driving their push to bet on property, external hospitality, and non-NRL side investments, Under an outdated debenture governance structure, if those non-NRL investments go sour, it won't be the board or the side projects that pay the ultimate price. it will be the WT football department.
 
While other NRL clubs enjoy the security of modern governance that guarantees first priority investment in their football team, the Wests Tigers are the only club with this unique governance who remains on dangerous footing.

Pokies Dominated HBG’S Total Revenue until the 2024 financial period, making up nearly 53% of HBG’s entire revenue base.

Wests Ashfield/HBG Pokie Revenue
FY 2023, Total Group revenue $87.4m
Pokie contribution 52.9% Peak gaming recovery period.

2024-2026-Total Group revenue plateaued around $100m.
Pokie contribution 48%-50% of total revenue
Trending Downward, Cost-of-living impacts, regulatory reforms, cashless trial costs, and rising tax,compliance expenses squeeze net margins.

What happens if those side investments go sour?
While raw pokie dollars appeared to rise from FY21 to FY23, the net yield and profit margins per machine are shrinking, HBG is using its capital to bet on side ventures.driving their push to bet on property, external hospitality, and non-NRL side investments, Under an outdated debenture governance structure, if those non-NRL investments go sour, it won't be the board or the side projects that pay the ultimate price. it will be the WT football department.
Imagine having to innovate 🤣🤣
 
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