More than $350,000 was lost on Brimbank’s 946 poker machines every day last year, according to the latest data.
Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation figures reveal that a total of $128 million was lost on pokies in 2013 – up from $125.97 million in 2012.
Brimbank had the biggest losses in the state, while Wyndham was eighth.
The new figures come as the Greens call for spending limits on pokies.
Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the party was drafting a bill to introduce $1 limits on all machines.
‘‘Evidence of five trials across Australia shows that voluntary pre-commitment will not limit the harm of problem gambling,’’ she said.
“And 88 per cent of recreational gamblers don’t bet more than $1 a spin, so most punters won’t even notice the change.’’
Monash University researcher Dr Charles Livingstone has previously called for $1 limits in outer suburbs.
HealthWest project manager James Dunne said increasing losses showed problem gambling was on the rise and there was a need to remove pokies from where people lived to make it more difficult to gamble.
“Research suggests the location and ease that pokies can be accessed increases the risks of people experiencing gambling-related harm,” he said. “These people might not be defined as problem gamblers. But they’re still likely to experience many of the negative impacts of problem gambling, such as financial troubles, anxiety, stress and relationship issues.”
Brimbank council community well-being director Neil Whiteside said the municipality’s electronic gambling policy called for a reduction of the number of pokies in Brimbank and improved support services.
