Almost 200 more poker machines will be allowed in Whittlesea if proposed state government gambling reforms are approved by Parliament.
Last month, the government announced a raft of reforms to its Gaming Machine Arrangements Bill such as limiting cash withdrawals at venues to $500 and banning the practice of cashing cheques at gaming venues.
The reforms also allow for a percentage increase in the number of machines in the suburbs not covered by Whittlesea’s regional cap on poker machines.
The regional cap, which covers Bundoora, Thomastown, Lalor, Epping and Mill Park, limits the number of machines in those areas to 10 per 1000 adults.
But in South Morang, Mernda, Doreen, Whittlesea and Wollert, where the cap does not apply, the number of machines can increase as the population increases.
Whittlesea mayor Ricky Kirkham said the maximum number of machines currently allowed in those suburbs is 212.
Under the changes, up to 411 machines could be permitted.
Cr Kirkham said the Whittlesea community did not need more gaming machines.
“Unfortunately what we need to see to accommodate growth is more investment in family violence services, youth mental health and road infrastructure – not more pokies that harm communities,” he said.
“Poker machines are a scourge on our community and they come at a terrible cost to our residents.”
In 2016-17, gamblers lost more than $107 million at Whittlesea’s poker machines.
“Adding more poker machines is only going to increase this loss, leading to more crime and family violence,” Cr Kirkham said.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform, of which Whittlesea council is a member, has called for the government to delay the reforms to allow for more community consultation.
Campaigner Kelvin Thomson said the group strongly opposed the provision of more machines in Whittlesea.
He said that population growth did not justify the government’s decision to allow up to 199 more poker machines in Whittlesea.
“This is a recipe for great damage. Pokies take a terrible toll on families and the community,” Mr Thomson said.
“The increase is putting these areas at greater risk of poker-machine related harm.”
Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Marlene Kairouz defended the increase, saying the government would not allow more than 411 machines in Whittlesea’s suburbs where the cap does not apply.
