Northern venues top pokie spend

Photo by Amit Lahav on Unsplash 223307_01

Michaela Meade

Over $72 million was spent at poker machines in both Whittlesea and Hume in 2020-21, according to new Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation data.

The data revealed Epping Plaza was the venue with the third highest poker machine expenditure in the state, with $11.66 million spent there between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021.

It was previously reported as the number one venue in the state, with $15.29 million spent there in 2019-20.

The Kealba Hotel in Brimbank was revealed as the number one venue for expenditure 2020-21, with $14.55 million spent .

Roxburgh Park Hotel and the Plough Hotel in Mill Park had a reported expenditure of $11.60 million each, making them two of the top five venues statewide.

Gladstone Park Hotel ($11.24 million), Excelsior Hotel in Thomastown ($11.01 million), and Bundoora Taverner ($10.44 million) were also included in the top venues for poker machine expenditure.

Whittlesea council chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the council remained concerned about poker machines and their negative impacts on community members.

“Council continues to advocate… in relation to specific initiatives such as a reduction in operating hours of gaming venues and for improvements in the support available to people who are experiencing harm from gambling,” Ms Wilson said.

“Council also maintains its policy to object to any additional gaming machines in our municipality, whilst working with licensed operators and others to reduce the harm existing machines may cause.”

The data comes as the state government announced an overhaul of Victoria’s gambling regulations by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).

The government said the VGCCC structure and governance was guided by the independent review of casino regulation.

Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Melissa Horne said the regulator would deliver strengthened oversight.

“The [VGCCC] will provide robust regulation of the Melbourne casino and wider gambling activity across the state,” Ms Horne said.