Gamblers lost more than $100 million to Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong poker machines last year, prompting calls for $1 bet limits to be introduced in Victorian gaming venues.
The Greens are using the latest data from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation to back their plan for legislation to impose betting limits on the state’s poker machines.
Recent figures show that gamblers in Hobsons Bay lost $47.2 million last calendar year, compared with $51 million in 2012.
In Maribyrnong, gamblers lost $52.8 million last year compared with $54.8 million the previous year.
Last year, Millers Inn Hotel in Altona North recorded the highest expenditure in Hobsons Bay, raking in 13.9 million.
The next two highest on the list were Seagulls Nest at Williamstown – $7 million – and Club Laverton, with $5.7 million.
In Maribyrnong, the top three venues were Yarraville Club Cricket Club in Maidstone ($13 million), Braybrook’s Ashley Hotel ($9.9 million) and Highpoint Taverner in Maribyrnong ($6.5 million).
Greens Western Metropolitan MP Colleen Hartland said the proposed bill would make a huge difference to families suffering from the detrimental impacts of problem gambling.
“Currently, problem gamblers can lose thousands of dollars an hour on pokies; average losses are $480 per hour. A $1 bet limit would limit losses to $120 an hour,” she said. “A $1 limit on bets is the cheapest, most effective and most straightforward option for limiting the losses of problem gamblers.”
Last year, Monash University researcher Charles Livingstone called for $1 limits on bets to be introduced in suburban areas, where gambling losses are among the highest in the state. Dr Livingstone said the limits would reduce the negative impact of gambling on families.
However, Clubs Victoria executive director Richard Evans said betting limits would not prevent problem gambling.
“Firstly, address problem gambling as a health issue; gamblers will bet on anything,” he said.
“It’s not about the amount [of money being gambled], it’s about the amount of time a person will stay. Problem gamblers will stay longer until they get the same result. The problem lies with the person.”
