WHITTLESEA council is losing its battle to stop problem gambling with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal overruling its opposition to allow 10 more poker machines in a bowling club.
VCAT recently approved the extra machines at the Whittlesea Bowls Club, despite acknowledging community concerns.
Mayor Rex Griffin said VCAT’s decision to uphold the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation approval to increase the number of machines from 40 to 50 was “disappointing”.
“The council is concerned about any net increase in the number of pokie machines in the municipality as well as being extremely concerned about the harm caused by the existing machines,” he said.
“There is significantly more community opposition than support for an increase in the number of pokies at the club and the club’s proposal did not include immediate social benefit to the community.”
VCAT ruled in favour of installing the machines, despite noting that “it is clear that there is a real apprehension in sections of the community … that problem gambling is a serious and increasing threat to the social fabric of the community”.
