THE negative social and economic costs of problem gambling are targets of a new Wyndham Council initiative.
With more than $81million fed into poker machines across Wyndham in the 11 months to May, projected losses for the financial year look set to eclipse the $85.9million lost in 2010-11.
Wyndham is ranked ninth for total pokies losses in Victoria, according
to figures from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and
Liquor Regulation.
A two-year responsible gambling strategy adopted by the council last month includes an action plan of local research and education programs.
It says Wyndham will not support future pokies applications on property owned or controlled by the council and will assess the feasibility of applying higher rates to venues.
Similar moves have been adopted by other councils, including Manningham, Moreland and Darebin, which charge gaming venues higher rates, with the extra money funnelled into anti-gambling programs.
The operator of Werribee Plaza Tavern, the state’s second most lucrative pokies venue, said operators already paid their fair share.
Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group spokesman David Curry said: “We pay our taxes on revenue to the state and we believe that’s where gaming taxation sits.” Mayor Kim McAliney said the gambling strategy came after last year’s alarming losses, which equated to about $730 per adult resident, well above the state average of $613. The state government has launched an inquiry into the costs of problem gambling, with figures showing more than $5billion is poured into pokies each year.
