By Alana Mitchelson
PAKENHAM gamblers, considered to be some of the most vulnerable to addiction in Cardinia Shire, have been invited to provide feedback following a State Government review into minimising harm from gaming machine use.
In the last financial year more than $68,000 was gambled in Cardinia Shire each day.
In September 2016 alone, $2.3 million was collected by gaming venues across the shire, up $126,000 on September last year.
Venues with gaming machines in the shire collected more than $25 million from gambling throughout the year.
The State Government’s review consultation paper, released on Thursday 1 December, encouraged feedback from communities as well as industry figures on how regulations could be improved to better protect problem gamblers.
Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz said the harm caused by gaming machines could not be ignored.
“This consultation is about putting people first by thoroughly reviewing the current rules to better protect problem gamblers,” Ms Kairouz said.
“A review of the rules and regulations covering gaming machines is long overdue. We’re seeking the right balance between protecting problem gamblers, and ensuring the current rules are up to date.”
A recent council review of its own gaming resulted in a new policy discouraging the addition of new gaming machines to vulnerable and disadvantaged areas within the shire to minimise the flow-on impacts of convenience gambling.
In July, the council rejected an application requesting for the introduction of 22 additional pokie machines to the shire.
The State paper outlines existing measures that apply to gaming machines, as well as research on their effectiveness.
Feedback on the paper will help guide future protection measures for problem gamblers.
Submissions close on Monday 16 January, 2017.
For more information or to view the consultation paper, visit www.myviews.justice.vic.gov.au.
