Pokie change ‘wasted’

Council should have taken a tougher stance on pokie machines in the district, councillor Jackie Elliott believes.

She said elected members had four options to choose from when adopting a new ‘class 4 gambling policy’ and TAB venue gambling policy ranging from option A, no change to the current caps, to option D, that would not allow any new machines, any new venues or any relocations of machines in the district.

Council voted for a less restrictive slightly amended option B. In favour were Michael Scott, Mike Cardiff, Mark Benton, mayor K Gurunathan who used his casting vote, and against were Fiona Vining, Angela Buswell, James Cootes and Ms Elliott.

“O¯ taki, one of the district’s lowest socio-economic areas, has 61 pokie machines in four separate venues, while only 42 are allowed under the current caps,” said Ms Elliott, who backed the tougher option D.

“There are 131 other pokie machines in eight more venues across the district, slightly less than the current caps.

“Seventy-nine per cent of submissions received were opposed to any increase on the cap and most supported lowering by a sliding cap and tighter restrictions.”

The majority of submissions were opposed to any increase on the cap and most supported lowering by a sliding cap and tighter restrictions, she said.

“Twelve people spoke to their submissions, and it was truly eye-opening to hear firsthand of the ways those close to problem gamblers are affected. With many children daily going without adequate food, school lunches, school trips or the ability to join and play sports.

“They are begging, they are going without adequate clothing, shoes and bedding resulting in compromised health.

“This is daily life for so many of our families and those dependent on, or caring for problem gamblers.”

She said council had a lot of legislative powers to make “meaningful social change for our most vulnerable” including “a special request to the governor-general for permission to reduce the number of pokie machines, to reduce social harm” but Thursday’s decision was “another opportunity wasted”. And a recommendation to lobby the pokie industry for more funds was “weak” because no specific percentage amount was included.

“This is weak considering the actual return quoted by industry submitters 35 per cent to 40 per cent of funds could have been inserted into the recommendation. In O¯ taki only 6 per cent return to local sports groups could be identified by submitters, while over a quarter of a million dollars was pumped into O¯ taki machines alone, in a three month period.

“The ongoing impact of this loss to our families incomes is plain to see.”