Maribyrnong council has adopted a new policy aimed at tackling the harmful effects of gambling.
It will oppose any increase in the municipal cap of 511 electronic gaming machines and ban access to online gambling at all council-supported public access internet points.
The moves are among 13 commitments outlined in the council’s Reducing Harm From Gambling Policy 2016-2020, which was to be tabled at its meeting last night. The new policy incorporates some of the 68 public responses to a draft policy released in April.
The council will also push for fewer gaming machines and oppose any increase or relocation in areas with high social and economic disadvantage, such as Braybrook, which already has 15 machines per 1000 adults – more than double the state’s average of six machines.
The policy focuses on electronic gaming machines as the main source of gambling losses. It notes that “problem gambling causes social and economic harms to individuals, families and communities.”
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission estimates problem gamblers account for about 40 per cent of total pokies losses, with the annual cost of problem gambling in Victoria close to $3 billion. Per capita losses in Maribyrnong are among the highest in Victoria.
