New statistics reveal people are losing more on poker machines in both Hume and Whittlesea each year.
Statistics released by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation for the year to June 30 show that more than $109 million was lost on Whittlesea’s 691 electronic gaming machines – up from net losses of $103.5 million in the previous 12 months.
In Hume, gaming losses were up by about $3 million, from $101.8 million in the 2013-14 financial year from 846 machines, to $104.9 million in 2014-15.
Whittlesea Community Connections chief executive Jemal Ahmet said the losing streaks would continue unless the state government legislated significant reforms and increased protection measures.
He said losses in Whittlesea were rising partly because of the area’s increasing population but also because the gaming industry was targeting an area with some of the most profitable machines in the state.
“The trajectory for losses is going to go up and we’ll undoubtedly get more businesses applying for machines in the north of the municipality, where there isn’t a cap in place,” Mr Ahmet said.
Gamblers at Epping Plaza Hotel recorded the highest losses in the state, losing more than $21 million on the venue’s 100 poker machines in the past financial year.
Players at Mill Park’s Plough Hotel and the Bundoora Taverner, both with 100 machines, lost more than $18 million in the 12 months to June 30.
