Reduce harm from

electronic gambling

machines

Brimbank has had the highest gambling losses of any municipality

in Victoria for the last 10 years. 

Reduce the alarming rate of losses on pokies in Brimbank

Measure and minimise the social, health and economic

damage caused by pokies losses

Brimbank Council is advocating for:

1 Total losses on EGMs in Brimbank between 2009 and 2018 inclusive.

2 Median price of a unit in Brimbank $375,000. Source: Hometrack 2011-2016, Housing Valuation System. Economy.id

3 www.treasury.tas.gov.au/liquor-and-gaming/legislation-and-data/gambling-industry-data/gaming-and-wagering-industry-data

1st

Brimbank experiences the highest losses on

EGMs of any local government area in Victoria.

3rd

Brimbank is the third most socio-economically

disadvantaged area in Victoria.

In 2016/2017, more money was lost on

than on EGMs in pubs and clubs

across

3

– the estimated amount of pokies tax

the Victorian Government collected from

Brimbank EGMs in 2017/2018.

with pokies

(At the maximum limit

set by the Victorian Government).

9 5 3

$110m

Tasmania

$134m

Brimbank

$61m

$382,000

Daily Losses

Daily losses on Brimbank EGMs

=

– more than the

median price of a unit in Brimbank.

2

The numbers

168 - 0518

The ask

Brimbank has long been lobbying for better

regulation of the gaming industry and continues

to partner with the Alliance for Gambling Reform

to pursue wider systemic reform.

In particular, Brimbank and the Alliance

are calling for:

• maximum $1 bets to reduce the amount of

money gamblers can lose each time they press

a button.

• reducing the maximum number of hours that

gaming venues can operate – currently venues

are able to remain open for 20 hours each day

which means that community members are

able to access pokies virtually around the clock.

• lowering caps on the number of machines.

Brimbank currently has 953 EGMs – the

maximum allowable number of machines.

Brimbank is calling for a “sinking cap” which

would mean that as EGMs are removed from

one venue, they would not be replaced in

another venue.

In addition, Council is advocating for urgent

investment in research across the following areas:

• the social, economic and health impact of

harmful gambling on individuals, their families

and local communities

• direct investment in sport and community

infrastructure and programs to provide

alternative recreation and leisure options.

The need

The harms caused by gambling are a

serious public health issue and affect

not only individuals, but also their

families, friends and the wider

community. A public health approach

considers how gambling impacts on,

and is impacted by the social, economic,

cultural and physical environment.

Council is extremely concerned that Brimbank

consistently experiences the highest EGM losses of

any local government area in Victoria. A significant

proportion of these losses go directly to Victorian

Government revenues as gambling taxes.

As the third-most socio-economically disadvantaged

area in Victoria, members of the Brimbank community

are experiencing devastating financial and social

damage caused by these huge losses.

There is an urgent need for research to measure

the impact of such staggering losses on individuals,

their families and the broader community. This vital

research would help Council and service providers to

target their approach minimising the harm caused by

gambling.

We must invest in research to measure and minimise the harm caused by problem

gambling. As Victoria’s biggest loser to electronic gambling machines (EGMs),

Brimbank is calling for urgent investment in research and strategies to support

alternatives to gambling.

168 - 0518

9249 4000

info@brimbank.vic.gov.au

PO Box 70, Sunshine, VIC 3020

• TTY dial

133 677

• Speak & Listen

1300 555 727

•

www.relayservice.gov.au

, then enter

03 9249 4000

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www.youtube.com/brimbankcitycouncil

9209 0140

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