LIVERPOOL Catholic Club says more poker machines will help fund community programs.

Liverpool Catholic Club general manager John Turnbull said the club would generate almost $3 million in extra profit a year if the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing approved an application to add another 40 machines to the 361 already in the club.

The club's application states their total revenue last year was $39.82 million, with gaming machine revenue making up 65 per cent of that.

Under State Government regulations, the club had to list reasons why more machines would have a positive social impact on the community.

Mr Turnbull said profits from the new machines could help the club reduce its loan.

He said the 4.5 star, $26.5 million hotel development, due to open in December, had put them further in debt.

``The hotel will support tourism and employment in the area.''

Mr Turnbull said some of the funds from the new machines would go towards supporting the club's sporting facilities which include football fields and an ice rink.

``The club gives more than $1 million to the local Catholic education system and that money comes from poker machines.''

Mr Turnbull said the club would also commit an extra $40,000 to its Community Development and Support Expenditure scheme contributions.

Father Bill Wright, the new parish priest at All Saints Catholic Church Liverpool, defended the club.

``As a church we have no objection to gambling as such, and the club has a good approach to helping potential problem gamblers,'' Father Wright said.

``The church is concerned with the issues associated with the abuse of alcohol and problem gambling.''

A spokesman for the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing said the club would need to purchase existing poker machine entitlements from another club if their application was approved.