Pokies

By Tania Martin
A STATE Government decision to ban ATM machines in gaming venues has been labelled as ‘not enough’.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges is calling for the government to look at further regulations to reduce the effects of problem gambling
In the past 12 months shire residents have gambled away a massive $34 million on the municipality’s 427 poker machines.
Chandler Ward councillor Graham Warren has welcomed the move, but has questioned the time it has taken to introduce such changes.
He said if the government were serious about fixing problem gambling it would introduce the changes now. He said the government also needed to look at other measures such as stopping its reliance on poker machine revenue.
“Problem gambling is a huge social disease that has become rife in the Yarra Ranges community,” Cr Warren said.
Cr Warren said although the council welcomes this latest announcement, it still wasn’t enough. “It’s going to take more than just banning ATM machines from poker machine venues to even make a dent in this community problem,” he said.
These comments come as Premier, John Brumby, last week announced a ban on ATMs from gaming venues by 2012, to help tackle problem gaming.
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe said the State Government had made a complete back flip after refusing to address the situation in November last year.
“This is an important victory for the people of the Yarra Ranges, but we shouldn’t be too quick to celebrate. The announcement will do nothing for four years,” she said.
Sceptical of the move, Ms Fyffe said the delay in action would cost Yarra Ranges residents in the meantime.
She said that with more opportunities to gamble being opened up and ATMs still permitted at gaming venues until 2012, there was plenty of time for the State Government to cash in on a huge windfall with gaming revenue in the lead-up to the election in 2010.
“It’s a very convenient and calculated decision. The Brumby Government is devoid of a social conscience,” she said.
Cr Warren said it was time for the government to start introducing further regulations such as where poker machines could be installed. He has also called for a reduction in opening hours of gaming venues.
Cr Warren said that the shire was now developing a local planning policy that would strengthen its ability to have their say on the location of poker machines.
“Any move to address problem gambling is a good move, but there is still much more to be done.”