By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The State Government has defended its pokies regulations despite an alliance’s proposed reforms to stem the mounting losses.
The Alliance of Gambling Reform – including Greater Dandenong Council – recently called for reduced opening hours, lower maximum bets and lower ATM withdrawal limits at pokies venues.
Greater Dandenong leads the state for per-capita pokies losses, with $120 million spent in 2017-18.
Under a regional cap, the council area is home to 957 machines.
Three months ahead of a State election, Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Marlene Kairouz defended the Government’s problem gambling measures.
They include a YourPlay pre-commitment system for pokies gamblers and freezing poker machine numbers until 2042.
“We are freezing pokies numbers across the state, limiting daily cash withdrawals in venues and capping the number of pokies in areas most vulnerable to gambling harm,” Ms Kairouz said.
“We know how insidious problem gambling can be – that’s why we’re helping those who choose to gamble stick to their limits.”
The State Opposition didn’t respond to Star News’s enquiries before deadline.
The alliance seeks reducing maximum bets from $2 to $1, reducing venue opening hours from 20 to 14 hours a day, and reducing venue ATM withdrawls from $500 to $200 a day.
Greater Dandenong Cr Matthew Kirwan said the Government and Oppositon were “clearly concerned more about protecting pokie venues not people”.
He questioned why more poker machines weren’t redistributed from low income, multicultural areas such as Greater Dandenong.
“But again that would disadvantage venues (by being) further away from vulnerable gamblers.
“Limiting EFTPOS withdrawals to $500 per card per day means up to $182,500 could be withdrawn per card per year. Hardly a ‘restriction’.”
Community Clubs Victoria recently stated the AGR didn’t acknowledge the “clear majority of recreational gamblers do not have a problem with their gambling”.
“It is hard to see how limitations on trading hours would not have a negative impact on employment in the local area.”
