Gamblers have poured more than $15 million into poker machines in Brimbank in a single month for the first time, new data reveals.
According to Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) data, $15.25 million was spent on electronic gaming machines (EGM) in Brimbank in March.
The spending was the highest in the state, with gamblers spending $2 million more in Brimbank than in Casey, which recorded the state’s second highest EGM expenditure.
The March data for Brimbank is also more than $2 million higher than the amount spend on poker machines in the city in February.
In the first nine months of 2021-22, gamblers have spent more than $83.5 million at EGMs in Brimbank.
Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen said it was “very concerning and disappointing” that Brimbank recorded the highest EGM expenditure in the state in March.
“Brimbank is heavily impacted by gambling harm and we continue to have the highest daily losses of any Victorian local government area for the past decade,” she said.
“This is the first time we have seen more than $15 million lost in a single month, and this is disheartening news for the Brimbank community.
Monash University school of public health and preventive medicine associate professor Charles Livingstone said pokie spending had increased across the country following the pandemic lockdowns.
“This can be attributed to people having some money saved and wanting to get out,” Dr Livingstone said.
“Pokie gambling can be associated with social and economic stress and many people are experiencing considerable stress at the moment, with insecure work, declining real wages, and intermittent COVID spikes, etc.
“Pokies are also distributed very disproportionately in disadvantaged communities, which are experiencing the worst of these stresses, so increased spending is understandable, if worrying.”
Cr Nguyen said the latest VGCCC data highlighted the need for reforms to reduce the operating hours of pokies venues, particularly in communities vulnerable to gambling harm that have experienced sustained losses.
“Brimbank council is vocal and steadfast in our calls for better regulation. We have an Electronic Gambling Policy which aims to reduce the economic, social and health harms associated with poker machines and other forms of electronic gambling in Brimbank,” she said.
“Council will continue to advocate for stronger regulation of the gambling industry and we support the Alliance for Gambling Reform’s calls for wider systemic reform to reduce the harms that gambling losses bring to our community.”
