More than $95 million was spent on electronic gaming machines in Melton last financial year, with the municipality rounding out the state’s top 10 locations for poker machine expenditure.
Latest Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission shows $95.7 million was spent on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) at seven venues across the Melton municipality between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
The amount spent on EGMs in the Melton municipality in 2024-25 increased from $90.27 million in 2023-24.
Brimbank recorded the highest spend, with EGM expenditure topping $175 million.
In the Melton, the most money was spent at West Waters Hotel, with punters spending $23.88 million across the hotel’s 90 gaming machines.
The hotel also recorded the seventh-highest EGM spend in the state. The Plough Hotel in the City of Whittlesea topped that list, with $26.25 million spent there last financial year.
Macs Hotel recorded the second-highest spend ($16.32 million), following by Sugar Gum Hotel ($14.16 million).
In Moorabool, $11.28 million was spent across three gaming venues.
Bacchus Marsh’s Court House Hotel recorded the highest spend at $6 million.
Settlement Service International (SSI) head of community wellbeing and health Rose Vearing said several factors contributed to areas becoming gambling hotspots.
SSI provides culturally informed gambling support.
These factors include high concentrations of EGMS in socio-economically disadvantaged suburbs, limited access to alternative recreational activities and the normalisation of gambling through social practices and local advertising. Ms Vearing said.
“These factors are compounded by the presence of vulnerable populations experiencing financial stress, mental health issues or social isolation,” she said.
“Inadequate regulation and local government limitations in controlling venue numbers or machine caps often mean that once a region becomes saturated, it is difficult to reverse the trend.
“Local councils should be given more authority to make planning decisions that prioritise community wellbeing.”
