Following Wednesday night’s Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing special conference, Mr Morton said he was open to the idea of compromise if it allowed his club to be established successfully.

The man behind the South Wagga Sports and Bowling Club development said staged installation of gaming machines was a possibility but gaining licences from elsewhere in the region would be extremely difficult.

The link between Robertson Oval and South Wagga Sports and Bowling Club was also hotly contested.

“Wagga City Council has been very specific that the projects should be financed separately but Greater Western Sydney is not going to come if the AFL ground is not suitable,” he said.

“Financial commitments should be separate but you can’t tell me the projects won’t be linked in the long run.”

Wagga mayor Wayne Geale said council remained supportive of the club development and its application.

“Council has made its submission of support and people are more likely to be supportive of the club because of what we are doing with Robertson Oval,” Cr Geale said.

“It is an intriguing situation, the whole city is split and not just on this issue.”

After sustained opposition to the development, representatives of The Rules Club and Wagga RSL Club did not wish to comment yesterday, preferring to wait for a decision.