By Molly Magennis
The amount of money spent on the pokies in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay continues to rise despite councils best effort to advocate for gambling reforms.
According to data from the Victorian Commission for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, $5.9 million was spent on EGM’s (Electronic Gaming Machines) in Maribyrnong during March of this year alone, an increase of over $800,000 from the previous month.
A total of $36 million was spent during the 2020/21 financial year, an amount expected to be surpassed in 2021/22 with the total expenditure recorded up to March 2022 already at $33 million.
So far from July 2021 up until now, the most money has been spent at the Yarraville Cricket Club in Maidstone. A sum of $3.6 million was spent across the venues 76 EGM’s during this time period.
Hobsons Bay’s gambling figures also rose in the month from February to March 2022, although not as substantially as the numbers in Maribyrnong.
An increase of $570,000 was recorded, with $4.1 million spent in March compared to $3.5 million the month prior.
Millers Inn Hotel in Altona North has so far recorded the biggest expenditure during the 2021/22 financial year, with $3.2 million lost to the pokies at the venue.
While both councils have been vocal in their concern regarding the impacts of EGM’s in their respective municipalities, Maribrynong council have been particularly forthright in discussing the issue, publishing a draft Reducing Harm from Gambling Policy for community consultation earlier this year.
Under the draft Policy, council has proposed that all official meetings, events or community activities at gaming venues be banned.
In a statement released by council in February this year, Mayor Anthony Tran described Maribrynong’s spending on EGM’s as alarming.
“While we may think gambling is an issue that only affects some people, the truth is the impacts go beyond individuals to their families, friends, employers, workmates, businesses and the community generally,” he said.
Community feedback on the draft Policy has yet to be brought to council.
