Gaming trusts are one of the most important and accessible sources of community sport and recreation funding in New Zealand. They are funded by gaming machines (pokies) in community venues, with profits distributed back to community organisations as grants. Understanding how gaming trusts work — and how to apply effectively — is essential knowledge for community sport organisations. This guide covers the major trusts and how to access their funding.
New Zealand's gaming trust system:
1. Venue operators (pubs, clubs) apply to host gaming machines
2. Gaming machine profits go to a gaming trust nominated by the venue
3. The trust distributes grants to community organisations in the venue's area
Key rules:
- Proceeds to community: At least 37.12% of gaming revenue must be returned to the community
- Local geography: Most trusts must distribute in the area where their venues operate
- Eligible purposes: Community, charitable, and non-profit organisations
Four Winds Foundation is one of the largest gaming trusts in New Zealand:
- Broad geographic coverage across New Zealand
- Funds sport, recreation, health, education, and community purposes
- Open application process
Apply directly through the Four Winds Foundation website.
Grassroots Trust operates primarily in Waikato and Bay of Plenty:
- Strong community sport focus
- Rural community organisations
- Waikato-centred geographic coverage
Pub Charity is a major gaming trust with national coverage:
- Community sport, health, education, and welfare
- Sport clubs, youth groups, and community organisations
- National reach through venue network
Lion Foundation has a national geographic footprint:
- Community sport, arts, and recreation
- Youth development
- Broad community purposes
Milestone Foundation operates in specific regions:
- Targeted regional coverage
- Community and recreational purposes
Southern Trust covers South Island regions:
- Otago, Southland, and Canterbury coverage
- Community sport and recreation
Gaming trusts typically fund:
- Sports equipment: Balls, bats, uniforms, protective equipment
- Training and coaching: Coach development, clinics
- Club facilities: Minor improvements, storage, fencing
- Competition and events: Tournament entry, event organisation
- Club administration: Software, governance development
- Youth programmes: Junior sport development
- Community activities: Social events, community recreation
They generally do NOT fund:
- Individual travel or overseas trips
- Salaries and wages (some exceptions)
- Building capital works (major exceptions)
- Profit-making enterprises
Gaming trusts distribute where their venues operate:
- Your organisation must be in the geographic area of a venue that supports the trust
- Check each trust's geographic coverage before applying
- Some trusts have national coverage; others are strictly regional
Most gaming trusts have an online application portal:
1. Check eligibility: Geographic area, organisation type, purpose
2. Register your organisation: Create an account on the trust's portal
3. Complete the application: Describe the purpose, amount, and expected outcomes
4. Provide documents: Financial statements, constitution, bank details
5. Submit and wait: Processing times vary — typically 4–12 weeks
Typical gaming trust grant amounts:
- Small equipment grants: $500–$5,000
- Standard community grants: $2,000–$20,000
- Larger grants: $20,000–$50,000 (require stronger applications and track record)
Most trusts don't publish hard caps — amount is determined by need and organisational capacity.
Be specific about the need:
- Name the equipment: "12 size 5 footballs at $45 each = $540" not "sports equipment"
- Name the programme: "20 junior players in the under-12 team" not "children's sport"
Show community benefit:
- Number of people who will benefit
- Demographic of participants (youth, families, elderly, disability)
- Geographic reach
Demonstrate organisational health:
- Current financial position
- Governance structure
- History of previous grants and how you used them
Be realistic about the amount:
- Ask for what you need, justified
- Don't pad requests or ask for too little and then reapply
Follow up appropriately:
- Check application status if you haven't heard within the stated timeframe
- Respond promptly to any requests for additional information
Gaming trusts require reports after grants are received:
- How funds were spent (receipts or invoices)
- Outcomes achieved
- Photos of equipment or activities funded
Keep receipts and document what you do — reporting is mandatory and affects future applications.
Tahua's grants management platform helps community sport organisations manage gaming trust applications, track receipts and expenditure, and produce the acquittal reports that gaming trusts require.