Maribyrnong: highest gambling losses per head of population in the world

Gambling's grip on Maribyrnong tightens
BY GRANT REYNOLDS

MARIBYRNONG punters put more than $400million through the pokies in the past financial year, losing $56.6million in the process.
The losses, marginally up on last year's figure of $56.2million, are the equivalent of $986 for each person in Maribyrnong - well above the average state loss of $611 per person.

It takes into account a reduction in the number of pokies from 463 in 2009-10 to 439 in 2010-11. The municipality's 10 gaming venues raked in an amount not far off the more than $60million the council raises in income through rates and charges.

Braybrook's Ashley Hotel had the largest windfall, taking in $11.7million in the year to last June 30.

The latest figures come as Maribyrnong Council and the Western Bulldogs prepare to go back to court over a proposal for 70 electronic gaming machines at Club Edgewater.

The Bulldogs were required as part of the planning permit to submit a plan to relocate its pokies from its other venues. The council says the plan is not to its satisfaction and the parties will have a preliminary hearing at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on August 22.

Monash University gambling researcher Dr Charles Livingstone said the highest losses continued to be focused in areas of great disadvantage, including the western and northern suburbs.

"This reflects the targeted marketing of pokie operators such as Woolworths and AFL clubs including Collingwood, Geelong and now Hawthorn who either have, or are planning, major 'club' venues in the west.

"The Western Bulldogs are also planning their purpose-built gambling venue in Maribyrnong, which is likely to further increase pokie losses in that area, which includes some of the most disadvantaged suburbs."

Dr Livingstone said low-intensity poker machines and pre-commitment would help a great deal by giving people more control over gambling.

Council's community well-being manager, Arden Joseph, said the council was concerned that gambling losses continued to grow despite the reduction in gambling machines.

"Current installed machines are working harder and provisions introduced by the state government, such as non-smoking areas, restricted access to ATMs, and problem gambling programs, appear to have had little or no effect. Council is particularly concerned that areas like Braybrook have the highest gambling losses per head of population in the world.

"These have been sustained losses over 20 years in areas of highest disadvantage."

The council's recent opposition to the Bulldogs' Edgewater proposal was a direct response to reducing the gambling losses and associated harms to local residents.

Mr Joseph said the council's gambling policy was being reviewed with a focus on reducing gambling-related harm to the most disadvantaged communities and problem gamblers.


Pokies: A link to abuse

THE push for pre-commitment technology being considered by the federal government as part of pokies reform has been backed by a new survey on Australian attitudes to gambling.

The report, Public opinion on gambling - by the Australian National University and based on a national phone poll of 1213 people aged 18 and over, conducted from April 27-May 10 this year - found that 80 per cent of respondents said gambling was dangerous for family life and 70 percent said gambling in Australia should be more tightly controlled.

Poker machines were most often associated with gambling problems, thought 69per cent. That was followed by gambling on horse and greyhound races and casino table games.

Problem gambling was seen to be linked with alcohol abuse, suicide, marital problems, parental neglect and being less compassionate.


Maribyrnong