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BRIMBANK Council has not ruled out following other municipalities in doubling rates for local pokies venues in order to fund problem gambling programs.
Manningham Council will this month vote on a proposal to double the rates of pokies venues.
Moreland Council introduced higher rates for 11 pokies venues in 2010, with the money funding education programs and schemes to help problem gamblers.
Brimbank’s general manager for community well-being, Kelly Grigsby, said existing differential rates and any possible additions would be considered as part of the council’s annual budget process.
Australian Hotels Association state deputy chief executive, Paddy O’Sullivan, said he would strongly advise Brimbank Council against lifting the rates of pokies venues.
“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,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“The fund pays for counselling and treatment programs for problem gamblers.”
Brimbank has Victoria’s highest level of gaming losses, with more than $139 million lost on electronic gaming machines in the 2010-11 financial year.
Ms Grigsby said the council would like to see more funds allocated for community benefit and a fair return from taxes collected by the state government, which could help build much-needed sporting, recreation and community facilities in the municipality.
Speaking at this month’s planning meeting, council administrator Meredith Sussex said she was disappointed that the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal had allowed St Albans’s Club Italia to increase the number of pokies at the venue from 38 to 60.
As reported by the Weekly, VCAT approved the extra machines in December last year after the council and the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation rejected the club’s application.
