Brimbank punters poured close to $402,000 a day into local gaming machines over the past six months, fresh figures reveal.
Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation figures released last week show that, in the six months to December last year, Brimbank residents spent $73,363,754 on poker machines.
That puts Brimbank on track to spend $146.73 million by the end of 2015 – which would be $8.18 million more than was spent in the 2013-14 financial year.
In the Maribyrnong area, pokies spending for the 12 months to December this year is tipped to be $55.32 million, and in Melton the estimate tops $59.36 million.
Punters spent most money on the 86 gaming machines at the Kealba Hotel, which have raked in $9.32 million since July last year. The Deer Park Hotel came second, with 100 machines swallowing
$8.15 million, closely followed by the Taylors Lakes Family Hotel, with 105 machines and $8 million spent.
After the Greater Dandenong area, Brimbank is ranked second-highest for poker machine spending per adult.
Brimbank council has released a new four-year electronic gambling policy that calls for fewer poker machines at sports clubs operating on council-owned land.
The policy also includes plans to push for fewer poker machines across the city and prohibit access to online gambling at all internet access points provided, supported or sponsored by the council.
Brimbank administrators chairman John Watson said the council was concerned about problem gambling, especially problems caused by poker machines, and wanted to make it harder for problem gamblers to find venues.
“These high losses are of great concern,” Mr Watson said.
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation chief executive Serge Sardo said about 130,000 Victorians had a gambling problem or were at high-risk.
“The financial cost is only part of the impact. Other intangible costs include health and emotional problems, family breakdowns and, sadly, family violence.
“Impacts can also flow on to employers with gambling problems affecting business productivity due to poor attention, high rates of absenteeism and, in some cases, fraud.”
Gabi Byrne, a former gambler and founder of problem-gambler program Dare to Connect North West, said her addiction had nearly ruined her marriage and relationships with her children.
“My children were very scared. It got to the point where I had taken money from my daughter’s money box, and she said, ‘Can’t we just buy a poker machine so you can stay home?’,” Ms Byrne said.
Dare to Connect’s next free 10-week program starts February 20.
More details are at 0428 304 041 or info@chrysalisinsight.org.au
