Craigieburn will get an extra 20 gaming machines if the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation approves Highlands Hotel’s latest bid.
The hotel, on the corner of Aitken and Grand boulevards, has applied for more poker machines to fund an extension of its gaming lounge, to remove its outdoor terrace and improve the venue’s facade.
The application estimates the works will cost about $975,000.
The hotel currently has 60 gaming machines, and is one of two venues in Craigieburn with gaming facilities.
The nearby Craigieburn Sporting Club has 70 machines, while across Hume, there are 813 machines at 14 venues.
A social and economic impact statement submitted to the commission that Highlands Hotel has experience, evidenced by a rise in patronage of its gaming lounge over the past four years.
“This growth and popularity has prompted the need for the hotel to seek an increase of 20 (gaming machines) to meet the demands of its increasing catchment area,” it stated.
“This proposal ensures the hotel grows with the area it services.”
It submitted the extra machines would help create two full-time jobs and increase expenditure from $1.4 million to $1.6 million in the first 12 months.
The hotel would donate an extra $100,000 to Hume council for community projects, it stated.
In 2015-16, gamblers lost $106 million at Hume’s gaming venues, up from $104 million in 2014-15.
The VCGLR will conduct a hearing on the group’s application at a later date.
