By Tate Papworth
Brimbank council wants feedback on its soon-to-be-finalised policy on electronic gambling.
The policy sets out objectives, principles and statements for how the council will manage the impact, and reduce the harm, associated with electronic gambling in Brimbank.
The policy has three main objectives; identifying gambling-related harms; reduce the prevalence of gambling; and increase the community’s understanding of gambling-related harms and reduce their reliance on gambling.
The secondary aim of the policy is to examine online gambling and sports betting.
Brimbank has recorded the highest losses on poker machines of any Victorian local government area for the past 10 years.
The council says that while the levels of harm from online gambling and sports betting are significantly lower than poker machines, the level of participation in the form of gambling is growing rapidly.
Feedback on the policy can be lodged up until 5pm on February 22.
Feedback will be considered in an amended final draft of the policy for consideration by the council for adoption.
For more information visit: www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/have-your-say/draft-brimbank-electronic-gambling-policy-2018
