Whitehorse gambling losses rise, with most cash lost at Forest Hill’s Chase Hotel

PUNTERS are surrendering more and more hard-earned dollars to Whitehorse pokies machines amid a statewide surge in pokies losses. And one hotel in the area stands out as taking more cash than the rest.

PUNTERS surrendered more than $4.6 million to Whitehorse pokies machines in August amid a statewide surge in pokies losses.

Takings from the 431 electronic gaming machines in the municipality were almost $90,000 higher than in August 2017, new Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Reform data has revealed.

But losses in Whitehorse weren’t as bad as the rest of the state, increasing by 2 per cent for the month, compared to a 5.3 per cent rise statewide.

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Alliance for Gambling Reform director Tim Costello said the state’s growing losses highlighted need for serious State Government commitments to reduce gambling harm.

With the election next month, he called on candidates to pledge legislation to help cut gambling expenditure.

The Chase Hotel is located in the Forest Hill Chase shopping centre. Picture: David Crosling

“It is not too late for either political party to commit to reforms such as $1 maximum bets, reduced operating hours and less addictive machine design,” he said.

The number one spot for losses in Whitehorse was The Chase Hotel at the Forest Hill shopping centre, which took more than $16 million of the $53.6 million lost in Whitehorse in the year ending June 2018.

It by far claimed the most losses out of Whitehorse’s six venues, with the second highest, Burvale Hotel, taking $10.2 million.

Whitehorse councillor Andrew Munroe said he was concerned by the amount recorded at The Chase Hotel, which differed from other pokie venues because it was within a shopping centre.

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He said the compatibility of gaming machines being located at the same place people do their everyday activities, such as supermarket shopping, should be questioned.

Cr Munroe also pointed to the restrictions commercial hotels were subject to around offering ways to withdraw cash, compared to the range of cash outlets at shopping centres.

“There are many ATM and EFTPOS options a only a few steps outside the venue,” he said.

The operators of the Chase Hotel did not respond to the Whitehorse Leader’s requests for comment.