BY Ann Marie Angebrandt
THE West is losing the war against problemgambling, according to the latest figures.
They indicate spending on electronic gaming machines rose across the region by and average of more than 5 per cent in the last financial year.
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.
That adds up to a 3.1 per cent increase from the $56.5 million spent the previous year.
The figures also showed City of Maribyrnong residents spent about $1122 per adult per year, well above the state average of $600.
Tabcorp’s manager of responsible gambling, Rohan Martin, said the increased gaming expenditure showed the popularity of pokies but didn’t necessarily equate to a change in problem gambling.
But problem gambling welfare agencies do not 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’s appallingly exploitive and a regressive tax on the communities in the West,” she said.
A review of regional caps by the Department of Justice is due to release its findings this month.
But Ms Jones said caps were not a magic bullet to curb the problem.
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.
The highest number of poker machines are concentrated in the Yarraville Cricket Club with 93 machines, followed by the Yarraville Club with 90.
Gamblers Help Western has eight sites throughout the West. For confidential counselling call 9296 1234.
