GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

New Zealand is one of only three countries in the world that operate a Community Gaming Model.  In other countries 'slot machines' or 'fruit machines' as they are known are purely for commercial gain.  Nevertheless, our Community Gaming Model is often misunderstood and maligned with many people not really clear on how the distribution of funding actually works.

Community Gaming returns more to the player and more to local communities than all other forms of gambling - refer Where the money goes.

A minimum of 37.12% of funds raised by Community Gaming Trusts like The Lion Foundation through gaming machines in bars and hotels must be returned to the community.  The Lion Foundation consistently exceeds this prescribed level of funding.

We aim to return 90% of the funds available for grants to their community of origin.  The remaining 10% supports national causes like St John, Plunket, Coastguard and Surf Life Saving that save, nurture and protect kiwi life around the clock and across the country.

The critical test for The Lion Foundation is that our approach makes a real and lasting difference.  We don't just walk away, we take an active interest - we want to see evidence based outcomes.

"To give away money is an easy matter and in any person's power, but to decide to whom to give it, and how large a sum and when, and for what purpose, and how, is neither in every person's power, nor an easy matter" - Aristotle.

We're proud that we consistently give more back to the community than the law requires and we intend to keep up that good work.

One of the longest standing and strongest defenders of New Zealand netball, is The Lion Foundation.  Last year making many grants to Netball organisations around NZ, with the largest being $150,000 for Netball New Zealand to develop and deliver netball throughout the country.  Other grants, a staggering 50 in total, were to grassroots clubs to operate their teams and competitions - everything from team uniforms to club & court upgrades.