By Goya Dmytryshchak
Hobsons Bay council has requested permission from Victoria’s planning minister to gain more control over where electronic gaming machines are allowed in the municipality.
It comes as figures for the past financial year show there were $47million in pokie machine losses in Hobsons Bay, equating to about
$628 for every adult resident.
The council is seeking government approval for greater planning control over:
•Ensuring the social and economic impact of EGMs is not detrimental to community wellbeing.
•Ensuring EGM venues are located, designed and operated to minimise convenience gambling.
•Locating venues away from disadvantaged areas or vulnerable communities.
•Ensuring gaming is not venues’ primary use.
Figures for the year ending June 30 show Millers Inn Hotel was the highest-earning venue in Hobsons Bay, reaping $12,624,398 in pokies revenue. It is operated by Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, owned by Woolworths (75 per cent share) and the Mathieson Group (25 per cent share).
Cr Jonathon Marsden said pokie machines were “bleeding us dry”.
“It’s important that we consider the aspects of problem gambling on our vulnerable community members because they’re designed by their nature to suck the money out of the pockets of the people who can least afford it,” he said.
Seagulls Nest, operated by Williamstown Football Club, recorded the second-highest pokies revenue at $6,930,058, followed by Club Laverton (operated by Carlton Football Club Limited) at $6,271,297.
The next highest losses for punters were at Altona Sports Club ($4,430,779), Kooringal Golf Club ($4,224,907) and Altona RSL ($3,720,144).
Rifle Club Hotel, also operated by the Australian Leisure Hospitality Group, recorded $2,943,247.
The Vic Inn, also operated by Carlton Football Club Limited, reaped $2,903,000.
Altona Bowling Club made $2,038,398. Williamstown RSL made $822,291 before it closed due to a multi-million debt at the start of the year.
