Wyndham council has expressed disappointment at the Victorian gambling regulator’s decision to approve extra pokie machines at a Tarneit hotel.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commision on Monday ruled in favour of Hotel 520’s application to install an another 12 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) at the venue after Wyndham council voted against the proposal in October.
The hotel’s owners, Sayers Property Holdings Pty Ltd, took their application to the VGCCC, where Wyndham council again opposed their application on the grounds that the extra gaming machines would increase gambling related harm in the municipality.
However the commission found that any social and economic harm caused by the 12 new machines wouldn’t outweigh the benefits, meaning the application satisfied the ‘no detriment’ test required for approval.
The commission concluded that the impact of the 12 new machines “will not be detrimental” and that it was satisfied their approval would result in an impact that is ‘finely balanced and neutral.”
Wyndham mayor Jennie Barrera disagreed, arguing that Hotel 520’s 65 existing pokie machines already made it the fourth most lucrative gaming venue in the municipality.
“Wyndham City opposed the application, noting that residents had lost more than $13.4 million on gaming machines at the venue in the 2022/23 financial year alone,” said Cr Barrera.
“We recognise the costs of gambling which include financial loss and the impacts on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and businesses. Gambling-related harm has a big impact on our residents.”
The addition of the 12 machines will take the total number of EGMs at the Sayers Road venue to 77, the fourth most in Wyndham.
Despite approving the application, the VGCCC imposed strict conditions on Hotel 520, including an annual payment of $125,000 to community organisations and measures to protect problem gamblers.
“Importantly, the decision is subject to a detailed set of conditions, in line with the commission’s focus on harm minimisation,” said a VGCCC spokesperson.
“Prior to installing the additional 12 EGMs, the venue operator must have an approved harm minimisation policy and procedures manual to enshrine timely, proactive and effective practices to minimise harm arising from the use of EGMs.”
