Bid to reduce gambling harm
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The City of Greater Geelong is calling on the community to share its views on a new policy designed to reduce the harms of gambling across the region.
More $71.6 million has been lost to poker machines across Geelong in 2021 alone, according to data from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, despite gaming venues’ operation being limited by the pandemic.
It is estimated the losses from other forms of gambling exceed poker machine losses, with data estimating $129 million was lost to non-poker machine gambling in Geelong across the 2018-19 financial year.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, the council voted to put its draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy out for public comment.
The policy focuses on reducing harm by promoting alternatives to gambling, evidence-based planning and community connection.
The policy includes commitments to investing in community infrastructure, community programs and activities as alternatives to all forms of gambling; support community and sporting clubs to divest themselves of poker machines and reliance on gambling revenue; and installing internet filtering to prevent access to gambling sites on the city’s public WiFi.
The policy would also ban the council from holding meetings, social or community events at venues that have poker machines and ban gambling advertising at council-owned facilities.
Greater Geelong community health and aged care portfolio chairwoman Sarah Mansfield said while gambling was a legal activity, it could lead to wide-ranging negative effects for the community.
“This draft policy will help us gather more data on just how much gambling is embedded in the community and the degree to which clubs and organisations rely on this source of income,” Cr Mansfield said.
“It doesn’t compel these groups to move away from this revenue stream but provides the opportunity to start a conversation on how council can support them if they choose to.
“With a focus on education, promoting wellbeing and supporting the community and organisations, it’s well worth a read of this policy and I really urge those community members with an interest to provide feedback.”
When the final policy is adopted, it will guide the city’s response to planning permit applications for poker machines and advocacy to the state government to reduce the number of machines in Geelong.
There are currently 26 venues across Geelong with poker machines, centred mostly around the CBD and northern suburbs.
The community is encouraged to have its say until December 10 at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au
