State Government allows 10 extra pokies at Zagames Berwick despite council, community opposition
A HOTEL in Berwick has been allowed an extra 10 pokies with the state regulator saying it would not harm the community.
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A HOTEL in Berwick has been allowed an extra 10 pokies with the state regulator saying it would not harm the community.
Zagames Berwick applied in May to increase the number of electronic gaming machines at the Clyde Rd venue from 95 to 105.
The hotel took in $17.8 million in 2016-17 — more than any other venue in Casey.
The extra machines are expected to add another $1.5 million to the hotel’s coffers.
Across Casey, gamblers lost more than $127 million to electronic gaming machines in the 2016-17 financial year.
The application was fiercely opposed by anti pokies campaigners.
The City of Casey voted against allowing the extra poker machines in July and the commission also received a petition with 274 signatures in opposition.
Mayor Sam Aziz said the council had no legal grounds to appeal the decision and was disappointed with the result.
“Council has deep concerns over the reported rates of family violence within Casey and the influence problem gambling has on this,” he said.
“Council was disappointed the commission gave little weight to council’s request to increase the annual community contribution from $75,000 to $150,000, which could be provided to local support agencies that deal with people experiencing gambling-related harms.
“We will continue to advocate to the State Government on a range of matters to reduce the incidence of harm from EGMs.
“Council believes both the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 and the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 need to be reviewed in order for them to consider more broadly the views of the community and the wider societal impacts of gambling and alcohol.”
Zagames Berwick cannot apply for any more games machines as 105 machines is the maximum number allowed at a venue.
Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation chair Ross Kennedy and commissioner Des Powell — who visited the hotel before making their decision — said the city’s gaming machine density was four machines per 1000 adults — 20 per cent lower than the metropolitan average and 33 per cent lower than the state average.
The report found the area near the hotel was “not experiencing a significant level of disadvantage” and the extra machines would “not be detrimental to the to the wellbeing of the community”.
In their application, Zagames said the approval would create an extra five full time jobs and the company would also spend an extra $2.3 million on renovations at Berwick, including improvements to the bistro, bottle shop and children’s play area, if it was given the green light.
The approval is subject to conditions that Zagames make an annual $25,000 contribution to not-for-profit community and sporting organisations in the City of Casey.
The groups that will get a donation will be decided by a committee that runs the hotel’s Berwick Springs Hotel Community fund, which contributes $75,000 to community organisations.
Comment was sought from Zagames Berwick.