Independents for Canberra received a $5000 cash donation which would be banned under the group's proposed policy to ban political donations linked to the gambling industry.
The group's leader, Thomas Emerson, has confirmed the donation from the manager of a club with poker machines would not be allowed under the proposal put forward.
The donation was revealed after Elections ACT released the financial returns for all parties in the territory from the 2023-24 year.
Labor declared the highest amount in receipts, with more than $2.2 million. The Canberra Liberals had $1.2 million in receipts and the Greens had $556,377.
These figures include gifts, membership fees and the cost of using facilities.
Under the territory's electoral laws all receipts above $1000 are made public.
ACT Labor received a $21,295 donation from the CFMEU ACT branch, the second highest gift of money from an individual or entity to the party for the year.
The union has faced allegations of criminality and has been placed into administration. The ACT branch has not been accused of any wrongdoing but is still in administration.
ACT Labor has agreed it would not receive any donations from the union while it is under administration. Administrators have also determined the CFMEU cannot give donations or partake in Labor party conferences.
Independents for Canberra want a ban on direct donations from gambling operators or industry interests and a related ban on the flow of donations through investment vehicles.
Jeremy Wilcox, of Campbell, donated $5000 to Independents for Canberra. He is the manager secretary of the RUC in Turner but the donation was not made in the club's name.
Mr Emerson said the donation was made before the party had developed the policy platform to ban donations linked to the gambling industry. He said even though the donation was made in a personal capacity it would not be accepted under the party's proposed policy.
"Our terms and conditions clearly state that donations are accepted 'with the understanding that they are made in support of community-backed, evidence-based policies free of vested interests'," he said.
"In early February, before we had endorsed candidates or established our policy platform, we received a $5000 donation from a community member who runs a club. Although this contribution was made in a personal capacity by a Canberran passionate about local politics, under our proposed policy, such donations could be prohibited.
"We are calling for a ban on donations from individuals and entities connected to gambling, which could include one of our early donors. The question is: Is ACT Labor willing to do the same?"
Independents for Canberra also held an event at the RUC club earlier this year. The club was fined last year for breaches of gaming machine and gambling laws.
Mr Wilcox and Catherine Cronan, of Campbell, were the highest individual donors to Independents for Canberra. Mr Emerson's fitness studio, Praksis, gave $15,000 to the party. Independents for Canberra declared $58,933 in receipts.
The largest cash donation to ACT Labor came from the estate of the late Geoffry Bond, of Paddington, who gave nearly $125,000.
Consulting firm, CMAX Advisory donated $10,000 and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers gave $5000.
MLAs also gave hefty donations, with Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry giving $10,700, Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith donated $4700 and Transport Minister Chris Steel giving $3208.
The Canberra Labor Club allowed the party to host functions at no-cost but would have been $11,679 under normal circumstances.
David Maywald, of Griffith, gave the highest cash donation to the Canberra Liberals of $13,234 followed by Robert Gunning, of Weetangera, who gave $11,298.
The highest business donations for the Liberals came from CU Health at $9900, the Minerals Council of Australia gave $2790 and Region Wholesale Fruit gave $2000.
Despite an unsuccessful tilt to run as a NSW senate candidate, former ACT senator and opposition leader Zed Seselja has remained loyal to the Canberra Liberals giving $1500 and $770 donations to the party.
Former Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur was the ACT Greens highest individual donor, giving $6500 to the party. The Greens do not accept big corporate donations from companies and therefore all their cash donors were individuals except for a $6820 donation from the federal branch.
David Gibson, of Downer, followed Ms Le Couteur with a $5775 donation and Hugh Tyndale-Biscoe donated $4750.
