By Rowan Forster
Punters have splurged more than $22 million on pokie machines within the Cardinia Shire in the past nine months, new figures have revealed.
Between July 2017 and March 2018, the region’s five gaming venues raked in a combined average of $2.2 million per month, according to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR).
The Cardinia Club was the biggest earner, followed by Castello’s Cardinia Hotel.
It comes as Station Hotel’s controversial proposal to introduce 80 pokie machines in Officer is being heard by the VCGLR.
Jerry Field, a member of the fierce anti-pokies movement in Officer, fears the new machines will worsen an already “concerning” gambling issue in the region.
“We have faith that the right decision will be made – especially given how much money they’re already taking from the community,” he said.
“It would be negligent for the commission to allow another venue.
“People in our shire are already losing $75,000 per day.”
The proposal came before Cardinia Shire late last year, but was unanimously quashed by councillors.
In a separate battle, owners of Officer’s Station Hotel are appealing the refusal in VCAT with a hearing set for 14 May.
Andrew McNabb – fed up by the long-running ordeal – has now spearheaded a fundraiser to construct a freedom of information request.
“We need a freedom of information request to disclose the applicant’s shonky practices in their existing venues,” he said.
The applicant of the new venue is counting on the fact that the request can’t be funded.
We can’t let cost be a barrier to exposing their predatory behaviour when it will impact the Officer community.”
According to Mr McNabb, he needs $300 to process the request and an additional $200 to print and distribute the information.
In a report prepared by Progressive Venue Services, the 80 new machines would yield approximately $5.9 million in the first 12 months of operation.
About 76 per cent would be pulled from other Cardinia Shire venues, with 24 per cent – or $1.4 million – coming from new expenditure.
Station Hotel director Timothy Rice said the venue would willingly make a $120,000 contribution to the community every year – if the site goes ahead.
“The money will go to local sporting groups and charities and local responsible gambling service providers,” he said in a letter to the commission.
“I am delighted to be part of this exciting project in my local community and look forward to offering our patrons the best and safest environment in which to relax and enjoy themselves.”
