By ALESHA CAPONE
POKIES spending within Hobsons Bay rose by more than $500,000 between April and May this year.
Recently-released figures from the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR) show punters poured more than $4.53 million into the municipality’s pokies during May.
In April, the area’s pokies earned $4.03 million.
Pokies operators in Hobsons Bay have reaped more than $48 million since July 2011.
During May the area’s most profitable pokies venue was the Millers Inn Hotel in Altona North, which earned more than $7.47 million.
VCGR statistics show Hobsons Bay has 579 electronic gaming machines (EGMs).
Across 12 months, an average of $747 was spent on these pokies, for every adult in Hobsons Bay.
This compares to the Victorian average of $613 per adult.
Hobsons Bay City Council released a report during April this year, which said:
“Among the 79 local government areas (LGAs) in the state, Hobsons Bay is ranked 13th in relation to the highest number of gaming machines per adult and 16th in terms of losses per adult.”
The council has an EGM policy, which says many not-for-profit clubs need pokies profits to fund community activities, such as sport.
However, the policy also says the council “has a responsibility to explore approaches to prevent and reduce harm from gaming on our community”.
“The council supports the capping of the number of EGMs in the municipality at 579 and where possible working to decrease that number,” the policy says.
“Despite likely population growth, the council opposes a future increase of EGM numbers within the municipality.”
Gambler’s Help Western can be contacted on 9296 1234 and the Gamblers Helpline on 1800 777 706.
