Tara Murray
Gambling harm remains one of the most depressing issues in Brimbank, according to a Brimbank councillor.
The council released its community report card into its electronic gambling policy at last week’s council meeting, highlighting the work the council has done to try and reduce gambling.
While the council has implemented a number of key strategies, the municipality remains at the top of the table for pokie spend.
“Recent trends highlight the risks to vulnerable groups in Brimbank,” councillor Ranka Rasic said.
“Following a period of closure due to COVID-19 health restrictions in 2020, spending on [electronic gaming machine’s] surged to record levels in 2021.
“In Brimbank, $92 million was lost in just over seven months at a rate of more than $440,000 per day, an increase of 15 per cent over the previous year.
“Spending on wagering and sports betting has also been increasing in Victoria for the past decade, with losses growing significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Cr Rasic said these trends were particularly concerning as Brimbank continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, with unemployment and reliance on income support increasing in Brimbank.
She highlighted a number of programs run by the council including a number of gambling harm reduction programs, with support from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.
The ‘Invest in You’ project was launched in September 2021, and has worked with several local communities to co-design gambling harm awareness resources.
The ‘Libraries After Dark’ program encompasses a range of activities that provide safe and affordable alternatives to gambling.
The council has also worked with the St Albans Sports Club to develop a first ever gambling harm reduction program, implemented as part of the club’s lease agreement.
Cr Virginia Tachos said that it was one of the most depressing issues the local community is facing.
She said a recent forum run by the council on gambling harm with someone who shared his experience had been very helpful.
Cr Sam David said there has to be other ways to try and stop the harm that is being caused.
“We’re not proud of it.”
Meanwhile, the council supports calls to ban gambling advertising including for new products such as SportsBet’s ‘Bet with Mates’ product.
