What we are seeking
We are asking the Victorian Government to build on their significant pokies reforms to:
- Expand the mandatory closure periods from 4-10am to 12-10am.
- Introduce tighter controls on what constitutes a reportable and auditable community benefit to ensure funds are directed to genuine community development activities.
- Introduce a sinking cap on the number of pokies machines in Banyule.
- Implement a comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising or online gambling, to be introduced in 4 phases over 3 years, commencing immediately.
What it will deliver
Reforms to reduce the gambling harm will provide many benefits to our local community, including improved health and wellbeing outcomes for gamblers and their families.
What you can do
To help us deliver this priority, you can write to our Lower House Member of Parliament for this electorate or any of our Upper House Members of Parliament for their commitment to deliver funding for this project.
Overview
There are 635 poker machines located in 9 venues across Banyule. In 2022-23, this cost local residents over $57 million.
Across Banyule, there are only a few hours each day when a pokies venue is not open. Gambling-related harm is a community health problem.
The social costs are clear: financial, emotional and psychological costs, relationship and family impacts and loss of workplace productivity.
Evidence shows that gambling harm is not evenly distributed, and that the more vulnerable and disadvantaged groups also tend to have more issues with gambling.
As Banyule is home to some of the most disadvantaged communities in the state, pokies reform is essential.