By ALESHA CAPONE
Pokies spending in Hobsons Bay continued to rise in November last year, according to new statistics from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.
Figures from the VCGLR show punters poured more than $4.18 million into the municipality’s pokies across the month.
In October 2012, the area’s pokies earned more than $4.16 million.
There are more than 570 individual pokies machines in Hobsons Bay – which earn an average of $757 per adult resident every year.
The Millers Inn Hotel in Altona North, with 70 pokies, earned more than $14.5 million in the last financial year.
Hobsons Bay City Council’s planning and environment director, Peter Gaschk, said the council had a detailed policy to deal with gambling venues.
“Hobsons Bay City Council understands the complex issues surrounding gambling and has a policy to guide the council’s response to applications for new venues, additional machines and transfers of machines between venues,” he said.
“This policy is currently being reviewed and a new policy will be developed over the next 12 months.
“The council supports the capping of the number of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in the municipality at 579 and where possible works to decrease that number.
“The council would oppose additional EGMs or additional gaming venues within the municipality, particularly in areas where the population is economically and socially vulnerable, and wherever possible advocates to control the numbers in adjacent municipalities.”
Pokies in Wyndham municipality, which borders Hobsons Bay, earned more than $7.23 million in November 2012.
Maribyrnong pokies reaped $4.65 million, Moonee Valley $6.24 million and Brimbank $11.44 million during the month.
Gambler’s Help Western can be contacted on 9296 1234 and the Gamblers Helpline on 1800 777 706.
