BRIMBANK’S troubling link with gambling is under the spotlight during the current Responsible Gambling Awareness Week.
Last year, residents lost more than $140 million on pokies alone and, as reported by the Weekly, gamblers look to be headed for record losses this financial year.
To spread the responsible gambling message, Brimbank Council has joined forces with Gambler’s Help Western, HealthWest Partnership and other local councils.
Spurred by being home to Victoria’s highest losses, the council is also urging the state government to help nip problem gambling in the bud.
Council chairman Peter Lewinsky said young people, in particular, responded better at a local community level.
“Council and its partner agencies are keen to seek a grant from the state government to encourage young people to run local forums during Responsible Gambling Awareness Week in 2013 and inform their peers via Twitter and Facebook,” he said.
The council wants counselling and support services increased and made accessible for the area’s rapidly growing population.
Its electronic gambling policy presses the need for harm minimisation and education programs to be made available via pokies venues.
Mr Lewinsky said the council was especially worried about the impact of problem gambling on families and children.
“With high levels of vulnerability, unemployment and poverty in some Brimbank neighbourhoods, council wants to see fewer pokies, especially where they are concentrated in areas of high socio-economic disadvantage.”
