By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Greater Dandenong poker machines continue to reap about $10 million a month, according to official 2018-19 statistics.
In figures released by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, pokies yielded $119.3 million – down from $121 million in 2017-18.
It equates to $907 lost per Greater Dandenong adult.
Greater Dandenong is fourth-highest in pokies losses in metropolitan Melbourne behind Brimbank ($143 million), Casey ($132 million) and Whittlesea ($120 million).
Alliance for Gambling Reform – of which Greater Dandenong is a member – has described gambling harm as a public health issue akin to smoking.
“We call on the Victorian Government to outlaw the predatory and addictive features on poker machines that trick people into believing they are winning when they are actually losing money,” spokesperson Tim Costello said.
“These losses disguised as wins and near misses are just abuse of punters, and are frankly immoral.”
