‘Useless’ on pokies

A LOCAL councillor has slammed new State Government Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) measures as ‘useless’.
This follows the recent (6 March) release of information to potential bidders for EGMs in an attempt to take the duopoly of control for machines from Tatts and Tabcorp and give it to selected clubs and hotel.
Gaming Minister Tony Robinson said this would bring the government one step closure to making a fairer, community based gaming model.
“For the first time Victorian pubs and clubs will be given the opportunity to own and operate gaming machines and have greater control over the industry,” he said
“At the moment, Tatts and Tabcorp determine where machines are located and they can move from venue to venue in search of the most profitable location.”
But Yarra Ranges’ Cr Graham Warren said these new measures would do nothing to alleviate problem gambling.
“All it really does is turn it from a duopoly into a free-for-all,” he said.
“I couldn’t think of a worse outcome.”
Last year alone residents in the south-east spent a staggering $108 million on EGMs.
In the City of Knox residents forked out more than $87.5 million, the Shire of Yarra Ranges wasn’t far behind with $33.8 million and Cardinia $17.5 million
Cr Warren said the new regulations would give hotel and club operators’ greater control to move machines around to the most profitable locations.
“They (EGMs) are a curse and the sooner we can get rid of them the better off we will be,” he said.
Cr Warren said the council would continue to lobby the State Government to give them greater controls over the introduction of machines.
“We want to be able to say where they operate and what hours,” he said.
These latest measures are a part of changes to the industry announced in April last year.
Mr Robinson said the government was setting the foundations for a new venue-operator industry. Cardinia Shire has also raised concerns over the effects and high levels of EGMs.
However, general manager of planning Phil Walton said it was hard to gauge the effect these new measures would have.
“We are still looking at the new regulations before forming a view,” he said.