Geelong council considers pub pokies battle
Geelong city council is considering spending $30,000 to fight a local pub’s bid to add 10 extra pokies machines to its gaming room.
On Tuesday, councillors will vote to allocate $30,000 to make a submission to the Victorian Gaming and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) in response to Valley Inn Hotel’s application to increase its gaming machines.
A social and economic impact assessment opposing the application will be crucial to funding the grievance.
It would also fund expert evidence and a barrister to present a city submission against the extra machines.
According to VGCCC data, players lost $3.76 million between 1 July 2019 and 31 December 2021 at the existing pokies machines at Valley Inn Hotel.
On Friday, the latest VGCCC figures were revealed, showing gamblers lost $10.88 million to the 1363 pokies machines in the City of Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe in December last year.
2021 had three of the worst months recorded for pokies losses ever. These happened during the few months that restrictions eased.
Towards the end of 2021, Tim Costello, chief advocate at Alliance for Gambling Reform wrote open letters to the Victorian governments urging a cautious reintroduction of pokies post lockdown.
“The stress, exhaustion and frustration that people in Victoria and NSW are experiencing right now will inevitably lead to far too many people gambling when poker machines return, risking their livelihoods and mental health,” Mr Costello said.
“Research shows gambling increases in times of crisis.
“The NSW and Victorian governments owe a duty of care to their residents to not only protect them from Covid, but to effectively reduce the risks associated with gambling harm and help local economies bounce back.”
Irit Jackson, 2nd February 2022
