City of Greater Geelong will oppose an application by The Valley Inn Hotel in South Geelong to increase its number of pokie machines by 10 to 39, due to concerns about the impact on the community.
The City said Geelong region is the fourth highest spender on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in Victoria. Over 2020/21, Greater Geelong community members spent almost $1.3 million on the pokies at the Fyans Street hotel, a small decrease on pre-COVID expenditure of $1.5 million in 2019/20.
Council’s Electronic Gaming Policy argues against introducing pokie machines in communities that experience social and economic disadvantage, and in areas where the density of existing pokies is higher than Greater Geelong as a whole.
A letter outlining the City’s intention to respond to the application has been sent to the Victorian Gaming and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).
The City will now prepare a social and economic impact assessment that will outline the levels of disadvantage, education and employment experienced in South Geelong.
The VGCCC will consider this report when it assesses the hotel’s application at a public hearing.
A council budget allocation of up to $30,000 for legal counsel to represent the City’s case at the hearing is dependent on the findings of the impact assessment.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said the Council will oppose the application in the interests of community health and wellbeing.
“With nearly 1400 pokie machines across Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe, there’s ample opportunity for the community to take part in gambling if they wish, without the need to increase EGM numbers,” the Deputy Mayor said.
“Council’s focused on providing a safe and healthy environment for our residents by preventing and reducing harm from gambling.”
Councillor Sarah Mansfield, Chair, Community Health and Aged Care portfolio said the sheer amount of money lost on the pokies in Greater Geelong is staggering, hitting more than $89 million during 2019/20.
“There are members of our community whose health, relationships and finances are seriously impacted by problem pokies use and the ripple effects are devastating,” Cr Mansfield said.
“While the number of EGMs in each municipality is capped by the Victorian Government, council will make sure its opposition to this application is heard by the VGCCC.”
Council has objected to the four most recent pokie machine applications by local businesses and clubs, with the City represented at each hearing.
The engagement runs until Wednesday 16 February 2022: yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/valley-inn-EGM-Application
