Darebin poker machines losses improve by $2.6 million
It was described as Australia’s strongest gambling reform policy when it was launched in December 2018. One year later, Darebin’s war on pokies has delivered its first victory.
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“Australia’s strongest gambling reform policy” appears to have had instant results, with poker machine losses in Darebin falling by more than $2.6 million in the first half of the year.
Darebin Council adopted the policy in December 2018, described by the Alliance for Gambling Reform as “Australia’s strongest”.
The strategy included plans to remove any council assistance from clubs and associations who owned or operated EGMs – including grants – and use of council sports fields.
The council also offers alternative activities for gamblers such as a Libraries After Dark program, which keeps Preston Library open until 10pm on Thursday.
The program has had its first win, with revenue from EGM machines in Darebin down to $40,358,145.42 in the first half of the 2019/20 financial year.
This was a drop of 6.16 per cent from the same time in the 2018/19 financial year.
Darebin Mayor Susan Rennie said while the improvement was a positive step, they still had a long way to go.
“Insidious poker machines still ripped more than $40 million from Darebin residents in the second half of 2019, and more than $80 million in total last year. This is an unacceptable amount,” Mayor Rennie said.
“We know poker machines are designed to be addictive and gambling industry operators target lower income communities.
“The money being lost is being ripped from the people and families who need it the most.”
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Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said Darebin Council should be applauded for the action they had taken in protecting gamers from gambling harm.
“They are working with us closely to ensure that gambling harm is treated as a public health issue, and they’ve established themselves as leaders in reform through some of the strongest gambling harm prevention and minimisation policies in the country,” he said.