GAMBLERS are pouring more cash into Moorabool pokies, but the council hasn’t decided if it will join other municipalities in raising rates for gaming venues.
Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation data reveals more than $5.7million was slotted into pokies at Moorabool’s three gaming venues in the eight months to February. The figure is up $220,000 on the same period last year.
From July-December last year, more than $2million was spent at the Court House Hotel on Bacchus Marsh’s Main Street. The shire’s other gaming venues are Bacchus Marsh Golf Club and Stoney’s Club.
More than than $8.2million was lost on Moorabool’s 110 machines last financial year, less than that lost in Macedon Ranges
($9.5million). In Melton, almost $50million was lost. In Werribee, that figure soared to almost $86million.
Wyndham Council last week moved to apply different rates on venues with pokie machines as part of a two-year responsible gaming strategy. In 2010, Moreland Council introduced higher rates for 11 gaming venues, funnelling the extra money into education programs and schemes to help problem gamblers.
Moorabool Council’s public relations, marketing and tourism manager, Peter Forbes, said higher rates could be considered by council as part of its annual budget process. He urged residents to share their views.
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,” he 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.”
