By Elsie Lange
Hume broke records with more than $12.5 million spent on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in December 2021, the largest expenditure in the region in almost two decades.
According to data from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), the local government area reached a peak of $12.5 million gambling losses at the end of last year, before dropping back to $10.8 million in January 2022.
According to the VGCCC, $10.6 million was spent at poker machines in the City of Whittlesea and Shire of Nillumbik in January, 2022, down from $12 million in December, 2021.
The commission only publishes combined data for Whittlesea and Nillumbik.
Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello told Star Weekly the $23.5 million lost to poker machines in Hume over the course of December and January meant more than $100 lost per person in the region.
“[It’s] a sobering reminder of just how dangerous this predatory industry is to our safety and wellbeing,” Reverend Costello said.
“Records were broken across the state with $250 million being lost by Victorians in December alone.
“Many of the LGAs with the highest losses are also some of the most stressed communities in our state.”
Two Hume hotels were in the top 10 venues with the largest EGM spends in the state between June and December last year: the Gladstone Park Hotel ($5,635,242) and the Roxburgh Park Hotel ($5,625,072).
The council area ranked fourth across the state for pokies spending in December 2021, as well as fourth statewide between July 2021 and January 2022.
Hume community services director Hector Gaston said the council actively works alongside organisations, peak bodies and state and federal governments to minimise the harms of gambling, recognising the need to reduce the number of EGMs across Victoria.
“In 2019 Hume City Council adopted its Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy, which informs council’s public health approach in minimising the negative impacts from gambling on Hume communities,” Mr Gaston said.
“Council also has ongoing collaborations with members of various gambling associations and networks, including the Alliance for Gambling Reform, the Victorian Local Governance Association and Municipal Association for Victoria.”
Mr Gaston said Hume would continue to implement its Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy in response to recent gambling losses.
“And will remain committed to creating a city that supports the health and wellbeing of its residents,” Mr Gaston said.
