Darebin RSL club granted 15 additional electronic gaming machines by commission

AN RSL club in Melbourne’s north has been granted 15 additional poker machines by the gambling commission.

DAREBIN RSL club has been granted a licence for 15 additional electronic gaming machines as part of a $9.64 million refurbishment at the club.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation last week granted the licence amendment, along with daily opening hours of 9am to 2am, despite it being knocked back by Darebin Council in February. The commission awarded it on the fact the number of gaming machines in the municipality would be 769 and not exceed the maximum limit of 769.17 machines.

It also determined the machines would not have a net negative impact on the community due to the economic boost from capital works, the entertainment value of gambling, and required community contributions of $15,000 a year.

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But Darebin Council said the machines would put further hardship on an already suffering community and would appeal the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Manager Mark Russell told the commission the club would need the revenue from the machines, estimated to be almost $225,000 in their first year of operation, to complete the renovation.

Mr Russell also told the commission inability to invest in infrastructure was key in the failure of other RSL clubs in the area. However, when the Leader spoke to Darebin RSL president Robert Cross, Mr Cross insisted the club was not struggling and “held their own”.

Darebin Mayor Kim Le Cerf slammed the decision and said electronic gaming already ripped out more than $80 million from the community each year.

“More machines and longer opening hours is the very last thing our community needs,” Cr Le Cerf said.

Darebin RSL club reported more than $4.4 million was poured into its 60 poker machines in 2016-17. The extra licences would allow the club up to 80 machines. Average gaming expenditure in Darebin in 2016-17 was $638 per adult, 17 per cent higher than the state average.