By Ann Marie Angebrandt
THE West is losing the war against problemgambling, according to the latest figures.
They indicate that spending on electronic gaming machines rose by an average of more than 5 per cent across the region during the past financial year.
Victorian Gambling Regulation Commission figures show that more than $44.9 million was spent in Hobsons Bay on pokies during the 200405 financial year.
That is a 4.3 per cent increase from the $43 million spent the previous year.
The figures also showed Hobsons Bay residents spent about $665 per adult per year, well above the state average of $600.
Tabcorp’s manager of responsible gambling, Rohan Martin, said increased gaming expenditure showed the popularity of pokies, but did not necessarily equate to a change in problem gambling.
But problem gambling welfare agencies don’t agree.
Amanda Jones, coordinator of Gamblers Help Western, said the saturation of gaming machines in the West relative to other parts of Victoria remained a concern.
“It is appallingly exploitive and a regressive tax on the communities in the West,” she said.
There are 10 licensed venues across the City of Hobsons Bay, with a total of 579 machines.
A review of regional caps by the Department of Justice is due to be released this month.
But Ms Jones warned that regional caps could not be looked upon as a magic bullet to curb problem gambling.
She called on the State Government to look at a system now on trial in Canada involving “precommitment cards” which set a limit on the amount spent by individual players.
“There is a strong assumption that problem gambling is about individual failure, but it’s more about offering consumer protection,” she said.
The largest poker machine venue in Hobsons Bay is the Altona Sports Club with 83 machines, followed by the Millers Inn Hotel in Altona North with 70.
About twothirds of Hobsons Bay licences are held by Tattersalls and the remainder by Tabcorp.
Gamblers Help Western has eight sites throughout the West.
For confidential counselling call 9296 1234.
