By Mitchell Clarke
An application to install 100 electronic gaming machines at a proposed $36 million hotel has been rejected.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation rejected the Clyde North proposal after concluding the application had the potential to increase the impact of problem gambling within the City of Casey.
The proposed Castellos hotel, located on the corner of Matterhorn Drive and Thompson Road, would be the first venue of its kind in Clyde North, with the closest gaming venue located almost five kilometres away in Berwick.
The development would offer a 10-pin bowling complex, a bistro, a sports bar with TAB, function rooms, a beer garden, a kids’ play room, a cafe, alfresco dining terrace, a virtual entertainment and E-sports area, and a gaming lounge with 100 pokies machines.
The Commission said there was evidence which indicated a “negative community attitude” towards the application, with a social impact assessment undertaken by City of Casey receiving 68 opposing submissions.
One petition was put forward in support of the project, which had 25 individuals signing their support, 20 of those being local residents.
There are currently 13 gaming venues operating across the municipality with approvals to operate more than 900 electronic gaming machines.
Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said the application’s rejection was a “big win”.
“People in Casey already lose $362,000 every day on the 913 poker machines currently in the municipality,” Mr Costello said.
“This application would have taken the city to well over a staggering 1000 poker machines … in an area that is already experiencing mortgage stress, that would have been a disaster.”
Mr Costello thanked the Commission for “demonstrating concern for gambling harm” and listening to the concerns of local residents.
“They are the people who know best what happens in their community and what impact gambling harm can have on themselves and their neighbours,” he said.
“Gambling harm can have awful impacts on local communities and economies, especially in newer areas where there is not always a lot of sources of entertainment or infrastructure.”
Mr Costello argued the impacts of gambling harm took many forms, not just the loss of money.
“These can include mental ill-health, homelessness, family violence and even deaths by suicide in some cases,” he said.
Ex-gambling addict and local resident Tom Cummings made submissions in opposition to the application.
“As someone who has worked hard to overcome a gambling addiction, I couldn’t stand the thought of another venue opening up on my doorstep … I know how many people this would have hurt,” Mr Cummings said.
“When I saw the application for 100 machines just down the road from where I live I thought, ‘not again’. I’m so relieved it has been rejected.
“This is a fantastic result. With everything that’s going on right now, it’s a bright point that we can all be happy about.”
The City of Casey and Castellos was contacted for comment.
