ClubsNSW Industry Snapshot Report Series

Registered clubs contributed $9 billion in social and economic value in 2022 (Economic and Social Impact of Clubs in NSW 2022). This reflects not only the scale of the sector, but its distinctive role within the broader economy — combining commercial operations with community-focused outcomes.

The ClubsNSW Snapshot Report series is our first attempt to pull together the deepest available datasets and give the industry a clear, evidence‑based view of how clubs are performing across financial, gaming and non‑gaming activity. By examining these three areas together, the report provides a more complete and accurate representation of industry performance — moving beyond isolated metrics to show how different parts of club businesses interact and influence overall outcomes.

Member clubs can download the report here.

Where the Data Comes From

• Liquor & Gaming NSW 
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 
• Annual reports of registered clubs in NSW
• Commonwealth Bank.

Key Takeaways

Financials

• Income composition: Gaming remains the single largest income source at 45.3% (2025) 
• Revenue diversification: Clubs are increasingly relying on bars, restaurants, hotels and other operating revenue to reduce dependence on gaming.
• Major expenses: Salary and wages are the largest cost items at 43%, with administrative costs also significant.
• Financial distress: Using ClubsNSW’s internal classification framework, over 50% of clubs are classified as Unbalanced or Distressed (2025), signalling margin pressure.
• Implication: Rising labor costs and fixed overheads are compressing margins and increasing the urgency of diversification and efficiency measures

Non-Gaming

• Non-gaming income accounts for 55% of revenue but has seen slowed growth recently, with the club industry recording the fourth-lowest growth rate among comparable industries (e.g. cafés, pubs and taverns, retail) as of May 2026. 

Gaming (March 2018 to March 2026)

• Although gaming revenue shows an average annual growth of 7%, the compound annual growth rate is +3.8%, slightly above inflation.

The findings reinforce that performance across the industry cannot be understood through gaming performance alone. Cost pressures, slowing growth and structural challenges are increasingly shaping outcomes at a club level. By bringing these dynamics together, the report provides a clearer picture of where pressure is building and where focus is needed.

Member clubs can expect to receive a ClubsNSW Industry Snapshot Report every few months. 

If you have any questions regarding this report, you can contact the ClubsNSW Data and Insights Lead, Patrick Sanders, at [email protected]. Alternatively, reach out to ClubAssist on 1300 730 001 or at [email protected].