By Laura Michell
Electronic gaming machines (EGMs) removed from Yarraville Footscray Bowling Club will be added to nearby venues where the gambling losses are “significantly greater“, Maribyrnong’s deputy mayor has warned.
Councillor Michael Clarke’s warning came as council adopted a new lease agreement for the club’s Francis Street premises, which requires the club to remove gambling from its facility by the end of 2032.
The requirement is in line with council’s gambling harm reduction policy which restricts the presence of gaming machines on council-owned land.
The club currently has an EGM entitlement of 29 machines. According to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, $1.9 million was lost on the venue’s EGMs last financial year – the lowest in Maribyrnong.
The municipality has an EGM entitlement of 471 machine, all of which are currently allocated to the city’s nine gaming venues.
Cr Clarke said it was “wonderful“ that the club was transitioning out of gaming, but was concerned about the impact the move would have on the wider municipality.
“Once they divest themselves of these machines, they won’t disappear, they will in fact go to another site in the municipality,“ he said.
“Those machines will go to facilities … where the losses are significantly greater.
“It is a fantastic facility that will hopefully will be able to identify a funding stream going forward that will ensure its sustainability.“
Cr Bernadette Thomas said council was clear about its intend to remove gambling harm from the community and the Yarraville Footscray Bowling Club was a venue where council could make a impact as it was on council land.
“It is pleasing that the club has worked with council. I want to thank the club for coming to the party,“ she said.
“It will be interesting to see what they come up with [as part of the transition plan].
“The club does a really great job of providing a space to the community.“
The move away from gaming machines has the support of the club.
In a submission to council, the club said it has a robust gambling harm minimisation plan.
We are all aware of some of the problems that exist in society today, such as harm from gambling … and of the onus on us to be aware of the role that we must play in responsible gambling through harm minimisation,“ the submission stated.
“We are however cognisant of the fact that the [council] do not want gambling in their facilities, so, to comply with these guidelines our bowls club will work with nominated [council] representatives to formulate a plan to transition away from having gaming machines in our current council owned facility, against a schedule that is acceptable to both parties.“
