Draft Maroondah Gambling Policy: Have Your Say

Council’s Draft Maroondah Gambling Policy 2018, which outlines our commitments to tackling problem gambling in our community, is out for public comment until Friday 27 July 2018.

The finalisation of the draft Gambling Policy is a 2018/19 priority action identified within the Council Plan 2017-2021. The policy will supersede Council’s previous policy, developed in 2007.

The Draft policy outlines Council’s commitment to reducing the harmful effects of problem gambling, especially within vulnerable communities. 

Background research for the draft policy shows that Victoria’s electronic gaming machines (EGMs), otherwise known as poker machines or the ‘pokies’, are concentrated in areas of social and economic disadvantage, and these are the communities that can least afford to lose money.

Across metropolitan Melbourne, the most disadvantaged municipalities also have the highest density of poker machines. 

Figures show that in 2016/17, Maroondah had the highest density of EGMs per 1000 adults of all metropolitan municipalities in Victoria. Maroondah also showed to have the fifth highest expenditure per adult of all metropolitan councils in the state. 

In the 2016/17 financial year, more than $65.1 million was lost to EGMs across 10 venues in the City of Maroondah. That’s more than $178,397 per day, every day of the year.

While Council recognises that gambling is a legal recreational activity that forms part of a range of entertainment options available to our community, we also understand that gambling has detrimental impacts on health and wellbeing of individuals, their families and the community. 

The use of EGMs is the only form of gambling which Council has the ability to influence or control through the planning scheme. As such, local government has an important role in managing the impacts of gambling in local communities, particularly gambling on EGMs in hotels and clubs.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Nora Lamont said in developing the Draft Maroondah Gambling Policy 2018, Council sought the views of the community and venue operators on gambling patterns and attitudes to gambling. 

“Results from our community survey and telephone interviews with key stakeholders and venue operators found that there was general acknowledgement within the community, and amongst venue operators and service providers, that EGM gambling is associated with harm,” Cr Lamont said.

“The preparation of a new gambling policy is to ensure that Council’s work in this area reflects current community needs and attitudes. We thank the community and local stakeholders for their input towards the development of this draft policy,” Cr Lamont said. 

“While Council is not the responsible authority when it comes to gaming machines in Victoria, we do get to have our say on behalf of our community. When existing gaming machine venues want to increase the number of EGMs they have, or when a new venue wants to include gaming machines, Council is notified. 

“We then conduct a social and economic impact assessment and provide a submission to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, before a determination is made. 

“That is why it’s important that we have a clear understanding of the community’s views on gambling and how it is impacting our society. I encourage the community to take this opportunity to review the draft policy and provide their feedback by Friday 27 July,” Cr Lamont said.

Under the Draft Maroondah Gambling Policy 2018, Council has identified a number of policy commitments which reflect Council’s statutory roles in preventing and addressing gambling-related harm in the community.

Council will fulfil its various statutory roles to create and maintain a safe gambling environment and protect those at risk of gambling-related harms. Council will seek to maximise the benefits and reduce the harms associated with gambling. Council will transparently represent the community’s views, fears and aspirations with regards gambling in the municipality. Council will implement best practice with regards the operation of gambling activities on Council-owned land. Council will support initiatives that seek to prevent and address gambling-related harms.  Have your say

Residents can have their say by filling out the online Draft Maroondah Gambling Policy feedback form:

Have your say

View the Draft Maroondah Gambling Policy 2018 or at one of our libraries or at Maroondah’s Service Centre locations. 

Submissions and feedback on the draft Gambling Policy will close at 5pm, Friday 27 July 2018.

Once feedback is considered, the document will be amended as appropriate and be brought back to Council for formal consideration.