By Christine de Kock
MARIBYRNONG City Council has proposed a range of measures it hopes will reduce problem gambling in the region.
The proposal was presented to the review panel appointed by the State Government to examine the effectiveness of regional caps on electronic gambling machines (EGMs).
The panel is accepting submissions before it advises the State Government on whether the caps’ system should be put in place in other areas of Victoria.
EGM caps currently exist in five areas in Victoria, including the City of Maribyrnong. Councillor Gerard White, the council’s spokesperson on gambling issues, said gambling losses in the region had increased despite the reduction in the number of EGMs in the region.
Victorian Gambling Regulation Commission figures show more than $58.3 million was spent on pokies in the City of Maribyrnong during the 200405 financial year, a 3.1 per cent increase from the $56.5 million spent the previous year.
Councilproposed measures include the creation of higher capping targets to reduce the number of EGMs in the region.
Cr White also said the council asked that the regional borders for capping not be extended to include other localities.
“This could mean that there could be more pokies introduced into our region, and we know from history that they tend to be put in the areas where there is high disadvantage,” Cr White said.
“You only have to look at the Maribyrnong region – we know that the EGMs are concentrated in areas like Braybrook and Maidstone, not in places like Yarraville.”
The council’s proposal also suggests that venue caps be introduced, so as to redistribute the remaining EGMs away from specific areas of disadvantage.
Other suggestions included:
• Owners/proprietors providing timely venue data to assist with the fairer redistribution of machines within regions.
• Reducing the speed of EGM transactions.
• Reducing the open hours of EGM areas during peak usage times.
• Ensuring 25 per cent of all EGMs within a venue feature 1c, 2c and 10c ‘maximum spin’ for lowincome and isolated residents.
Gambler’s Help Western program coordinator Amanda Jones agreed with the council that more has to be done to reduce problem gambling than simply reducing the number of EGMs in a region.
“People who regularly expose themselves to gambling will be at risk of becoming problem gamblers, particularly exposure to EGMs,” Ms Jones said.
“Anecdotally, there is a strong demand for our services in the City of Maribyrnong.”
Gambler’s Help Western offers confidential counselling on 9296 1234.
