Banyule punters in top 20 for statewide losses

Gamblers in Banyule spent less on pokies in the past financial year but still coughed up a whopping $57.7 million. But which of the municipality’s nine venues raked in the most?

Gamblers poured $57.7 million into poker machine in Banyule in 2018-19.

Gamblers in Banyule spent less on pokies in the past financial year but still coughed up a whopping $57.7 million.

The figures from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation show spending across Banyule was down $780,000 from the previous financial year.

Acting Banyule Mayor Alison Champion said any decrease in gambling was a win but there was still a staggering amount lost.

“This sadly causes greater losses to people in terms of their relationships, jobs, homes and health,” Cr Champion said.

Banyule has nine pokie venues, with gamblers spending most at Heidelberg’s Old England Hotel, losing $11.3 million at its 103 machines.

Heidelberg’s Old England Hotel is where Banyule punters lost $11.3 million on pokies.

The Ivanhoe Hotel was second, with $10.2 million lost on its 100 poker machines.

Reformed sports betting addict and host of his own podcast Not a Dollar More, Shayne Rodgers, said the majority of his guests had experienced harm through pokies over any other form of gambling.

“The decrease in loses is encouraging, but pokies are addictive in nature, the machine is set up like that with the lights and the sounds to reward you every time you push a button,” Mr Rodgers said.

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Victorians lost $2.7 billion on poker machines in the past financial year, the second highest loss since pokies were introduced to the state in 1991.

Cr Champion said council continued to advocate to the State Government to make reforms, such as reducing the maximum bet and capping the number of machines.

“Continued education about the harms of gambling and providing support to those who have experienced gambling harm remain a key focus of council,” she said.

Anyone struggling with gambling can ring Gambler’s Help at Banyule Community Health on 1300 133 445.