Enough Pokies in Castlemaine (EPIC) was an anti-pokie group that was formed in 2010. Its goal was to prevent gaming operators from introducing more poker machines into the community. For three years, the group fought hard to achieve this objective. Now that EPIC has successfully blocked recent attempts by gaming operators to apply for pokies, the group will be disbanding.
The struggle began when the Maryborough Highland Society applied for a license to build a new gambling venue in Castlemaine. The group wanted to install 65 new pokies at the venue, but EPIC intervened. Over the course of the past three years, EPIC and the Maryborough Highland Society debated the issue at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Initially, the VCAT sided with the Maryborough Highland Society.
The group was given the green light to proceed with its plans to install 65 pokies in a new gaming venue. The decision was appealed by EPIC in December 2012, and the two parties continued their debate for the past year. After EPIC’s appeal, the VCAT reconsidered its decision.
In February 2013, the tribunal stated that the Maryborough Highland Society would be able to build its new community venue; however, the construction would have to proceed without any new pokies. Now that EPIC has achieved its main goal, the group will consider disbanding. The decision whether or not to do so will be debated at EPIC’s annual general meeting next month.
"We feel that we've achieved all that we wanted to achieve,” says David Stretch EPIC’s President. “It's only fair given that we maintained in the VCAT hearing that if this proposal didn't exist, then neither would we, and so it shall be”.
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