Hobsons Bay council will oppose applications for new pokie venues or more machines in neighbouring Maribyrnong, Brimbank and Wyndham if the venues fall within 2.5 kilometres of vulnerable communities in Hobsons Bay.
Hobsons Bay council has released its draft policy on problem gambling associated with electronic gaming machines (EGMs).
The council is calling for more transparency when clubs produce annual community support benefit statements. Clubs had previously detailed such “community benefits” as TV purchases, smoking rooms and buses to bring gamblers to their venues.
Hobsons Bay is ranked 14th highest for EGM losses in Victoria, with Brimbank second, Maribyrnong third and Wyndham eighth.
Mayor Colleen Gates said Melbourne’s most disadvantaged municipalities had the highest density of pokies.
“In Hobsons Bay, each adult spends on average $662 per year on pokies and there are an average of 8.4 pokies machines per 1000 people,” she said.
“Compare this to the community of Boroondara, including suburbs such as Balwyn, Camberwell and Hawthorn, where only $140 is spent per person per year and there are only 1.5 pokies per 1000 people.”
The draft policy is out for comment until June 10.
