POKIES venues in Wyndham could face a rate hike if the council approves a new strategy to tackle problem gambling.
At its next meeting on Monday, Wyndham Council will consider a proposal to apply different rates on venues with pokie machines, as part of a two-year responsible gaming strategy.
This comes as Manningham Council in Melbourne’s east prepares to vote on a motion that would double rates for five of eight gaming venues in the municipality.
In 2010, Moreland Council introduced higher rates for 11 gaming venues, funnelling the extra money into education programs and schemes to help problem gamblers.
With more than $45million poured into Wyndham’s pokies machines in the six months to December, projected losses for this financial year are set to eclipse the $85million lost in 2010-11.
Council chief executive Kerry Thompson said last year’s figures, which equated to about $730 per adult resident, prompted the council to consider a rate rise on pokies venues.
“If Wyndham City decided to take such an approach, it’s expected funds generated would be allocated to improving problem gambling prevention, harm minimisation projects and support services in Wyndham,” Ms Thompson said.
Municipal Association of Victoria president Bill McArthur said additional council rates was a “totally acceptable” approach to combat problem gambling.
“It’s an initiative for most councils to generate help for problem gamblers, and if there’s local initiatives it’s a welcome move,” he said.
“Local governments are charged with the wellbeing of their local communities.”
But Australian Hotels Association state deputy chief executive Paddy O’Sullivan said pokie venues already paid their fair share of rates.
“This is councils attempting to double-dip for the purpose of local council services,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “These venues pay a significant tax to the state government to operate gaming at their businesses and that money goes into the government’s community support fund. The fund pays for counselling and treatment programs for problem gamblers.”
Residents can comment on the council’s proposed gaming strategy from next week. Over the past year, Wyndham pokies venues paid a total of $196,095 in council rates and charges.
