Monbulk Bowling Club applies to VCGLR for more pokie machines

A Yarra Ranges bowls club is trying to increase the number of its pokie machines by 33 per cent as part of a $1.7 million revamp of the venue. But an anti-gambling advocate has urged the council to reject the plan.

Monbulk Bowling Club has applied to host another 10 pokie machines.

A Yarra Ranges bowls club wants to increase the number of its pokie machines by 33 per cent as part of a $1.7 million revamp of the venue.

Monbulk Bowling Club has applied to the Victorian Commission for Gambling Reform for permission to increase its number of poker machines from 30 to 40.

General manager Denise Rutzou said the extra machines would help the club to fund its upcoming refurbishment, replace its synthetic bowling green and make greater contributions to the community.

She said the fact the club had been running as a not-profit organisation since 1965 with bowling as the main focus made its poker machine situation “distinctly different” from pubs.

“We’re focused on the local community,” Ms Rutzou said.

Monbulk Bowling Club has been running since 1965.

She said the club had made donations totalling $327,281 to groups including Monbulk Junior Football Club, Emerald Tennis Club, Monbulk Fire Brigade, Monbulk Primary School and Monbulk College in the past three years.

Ms Rutzou revealed the machines would come as part of the club’s first refurbishment in 13 years.

The club’s upstairs bistro and lounge is set to be modernised, with a fireplace and seating area to be added.

Designated meeting areas for local groups will also be brought into the space.

Speaking at a Yarra Ranges Council meeting on May 14, Ms Rutzou emphasised the club’s understanding of the importance of gambling harm minimisation.

She outlined the measures the club took to limit potential harm, including not having ATMs on site and having Gamblers Help posters and pamphlets on display.

The club wants to increase its number of gaming machines from 30 to 40.

She said staff were specifically trained to identify problem gamblers and changes in their behaviour and were aware of where to refer them for gambling help.

She told Lilydale Yarra Ranges Leader the small size of the club also meant staff knew almost all regular patrons.

“Pretty much everyone is greeted by myself.”

MORE: FEARS TOWNHOUSE PLAN WILL CREATE TRAFFIC CHAOS

THE ‘SECRET’ HUNGARIAN RESTAURANT WORTH SEARCHING FOR

COVERT POST OFFICE OPERATION NABS DRUG IMPORTER

In line with its policies on new pokies applications, Yarra Ranges Council vowed to undertake an analysis of the social and economic impacts of the proposal.

The council is welcoming community feedback on the club’s plan to increase its electronic gaming machines, while the VCGLR is also taking public submissions as it considers the application.

Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesman Tim Costello told Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader he was very disappointed by the application.

“I urge the council to strongly resist this application to send a wider message to the community that we need to reduce rather than increase poker machine numbers in the Victorian community,’ he said,

“The 442 pokies spread across nine Yarra Ranges venues drained $29.3 million from the community in 2017-18 and this application will only serve to increase those losses, causing more social harm such as crime, family breakdown, bankruptcy and social isolation.”

According to VCGLR data, Monbulk Bowling Club’s 30 machines claimed $1,835,178 from punters in the year from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.