Glenroy RSL application for 10 poker machines denied by VCAT

After first applying in 2016 to grow its poker machine collection to 50, the Glenroy RSL has been denied following a judgment made about the economic impacts of the area.

The Glenroy RSL has failed in its bid to add 10 poker machines. Picture: David Crosling

The fight for an extra 10 poker machines at the Glenroy RSL could be over three years after it began.

A VCAT order last month denied the RSL sub-branch’s application to add to its current 40 machines after Moreland Council opposed the application.

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The application for more machines was originally made in 2016, before VCAT approved the application in April 2017.

The verdict was challenged by the council at the Victorian Supreme Court, which rescinded the approval and returned the case to VCAT.

VCAT deputy president Mark Dwyer and member Picha Djohan said the RSL’s touted benefits of supporting returned servicemen and women would have been outweighed by the negative impacts of problem gambling.

“The social impacts of the proposal, considered alone, will be on balance, negative,” the judgement read.

“There no doubt will be community benefits arising from the proposed improved facilities at the RSL premises. However, these benefits must be balanced against the close proximity of the premises to a relatively large number of sensitive uses likely to be frequented by those members of the Glenroy community vulnerable to problem gambling.”

Moreland Mayor Natalie Abboud said the council fought back against the proposal because of the impacts it would have had in the low socio-economic area.

“The installation of 10additional machines in an area of disadvantage with few other evening entertainment options fell short of (the council’s Local Policy for Gaming),” she said.

Glenroy RSL declined to comment.

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