$20 million sunk into Epping Plaza Hotel poker machines
Damning new statistics show Whittlesea’s addiction to poker machines is getting worse with $20 million poured into one venue — a sum matched only by Crown Casino.
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More than $20 million was poured through Epping’s Plaza Hotel poker machines in the past 12 months — a figure only rivalled by Crown Casino.
Damning new statistics released by the Alliance for Gambling Reform show Whittlesea gamblers lost $110.9 million on poker machines in 2018-19, equating to $655 per Whittlesea adult, in the municipality’s 10 poker venues.
The overall loss is $1.4 million up on the previous year.
Gamblers poured $20.2 million into the Epping Plaza Hotel, topping the list when it cames to the state’s pokies venues.
Mill Park’s Plough Hotel was third with $19.5 million and the Bundoora Taverna ($17.9 million) was seventh.
Excelsior Hotel in Thomastown ($16.4 million) was also in the top 10 venues in the state for the highest gambling losses.
Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesman the Reverend Tim Costello said he was appalled by the figures.
“I’m astounded to see the people of Whittlesea being taken advantage of to this extent,” he said.
Whittlesea Mayor Lawrie Cox said the council was continuing to advocate for fewer poker machines, reduced operation hours and ‘con-free’ machines.
“It’s critical that pokie addiction is recognised as a public health issues and that urgent reforms are introduced to address this,” Cr Cox said.
Victorians lost $2.6 billion to poker machines in the 2018-19 financial year.
Last year Crown Casino released poker machine loss figures for the first time, showing more than $449 million in revenue was generated from the machines in the 2017-18 financial year.
Epping Plaza Hotel did not respond to questions.
Whittlesea losses (by venue):
Epping Plaza Hotel: $20.2 million
Plough Hotel: $19.5 million
Bundoora Taverna: $17.9 million
Excelsior Hotel: $16.4 million
Bridge Inn Hotel: $10.4 million
Epping Hotel: $7.7 million
Casa D’Abruzzo Club: $6.5 million
Epping RSL: $4.8 million
Whittlesea Bowls Club: $4 million
Lalor Bowling Club: $3 million
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