Victoria’s gaming regulator has given a Mernda pub the green light to install 20 more gaming machines.
The Victorian Commission for Gaming and Liquor Regulation’s (VCGLR) has allowed the Bridge Inn Hotel to increase its electronic gaming machines (EGMs) from 40 to 60.
Whittlesea council voted against the hotel’s application in late September and submitted a social and economic impact assessment to the VCGLR to indicate its opposition. But the VCGLR ruled the extra machines would create a “slight positive impact” in the community.
A spokesman for the Whittlesea Interagency Taskforce on Gambling (WITOG), Jemal Ahmet, said he was outraged by the decision.
“Once again, the commission has shown its contempt for community views and local council expertise,” he said.
“Poker machines are dangerous products designed to addict and programmed to guarantee the user loses. The flow-on effect of problem gambling increases the need for family violence services, emergency relief and other services – all services that simply don’t exist in the Mernda Doreen community.”
WITOG has asked candidates in the state electorates of Mill Park, Yan Yean, Bundoora, Thomastown and Broadmeadows to answer three questions to test their commitment to poker machine reform.
Their answers will be displayed online at www.pokermachinesharmwhittlesea.org, but no responses had been received as of last Friday.
WITOG spokeswoman Susan Rennie said electors should use their votes in the November 29 state election to let politicians know gambling was an election issue.
“We invite Whittlesea voters to draw their own conclusions about which candidates are most serious about protecting the community from harmful gambling losses,” she said.
Whittlesea council is reviewing the VCGLR decision to determine if it will take the matter further and will host an Enough Pokies forum at its offices at 4pm on November 19.
