In Wyndham, local councillors will be evaluating potential zoning laws for poker machines in the city. This week, they approached Planning Minister Matthew Guy to request the appointment of a panel to investigate the issue. The panel appointed by Mr Guy will consider an amendment that would be made to Wyndham’s planning scheme, prohibiting gaming venues from being located in shopping malls and activity centres.
By introducing this amendment, councillors hope to prevent the general public from being tempted to gamble. James Dunne , project coordinator for Health West says calls the amendment ‘a positive step in reducing gambling-related harm’. Shopping malls and activity centres are heavily frequented by individuals of all ages.
Vulnerable residents, such as problem gamblers and underage players, may be tempted to gamble if the happen across a gambling venue in a public place. By keeping gaming venues out of these areas, the council aims to reduce the potential harm that pokies can cause. “Removing pokies from where people live and go about their lives is likely to reduce the impact of problem gambling on the Wyndham community,” he says.
Not all residents are in support of the amendment, however. Representatives of Cedar Woods, the company that is developing the new Williams Landing Town Centre, have openly objected the amendment. While they believe that restrictions should be placed on the location of pokies, they also believe that pokies should be permitted in the centre.
Five other groups echo these sentiments, so the amendment’s panel will have a tough decision to make. While the amendment has the potential to reduce problem gambling rates in Wyndham, it could also harm local businesses. The evaluation process will be a long one, and we will keep you posted with further developments.
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