Monash Mayor Geoff Lake has demanded an overhaul of the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation. He argues that the regulator has failed to effectively reduce problem gambling rates and limit pokie spending, and suggests that it may be time for the city of Monash to introduce its own betting limits. According to a report in The Leader, Mayor Lake has called the practices of gambling operators ‘predatory and unethical’.
He feels that the companies lure players into spending more money than they can afford on gambling, and that the VCGLR is not doing enough to stop them. However, state politicians resent his remarks. Liquor and Gaming Regulation Minister Edward O’Donohue has stated that the VCGLR is constantly working hard to reduce problem gambling rates, by enforcing strict spending limits at gaming venues.
“He clearly has little understanding of the system, says Mr O’Donohue. “The VCGLR enforces strict caps on the numbers of gaming machines in council areas and different regions”. In recent years, the Victorian government has passed more gambling reforms than any other state.
Whereas Queensland has recently allowed for players to begin spending $50 and $100 wagers on games, Victoria has enacted a ban on cash machines in pokie venue to help limit players’ spending. The state has also banned the use of headphones with pokie machines, to discourage players from becoming too immersed.
The VCGLR and the Victorian state government have spent four years working to limit gambling spending, so state politicians are unimpressed with Mayor Lake’s accusations. They have also noted that introduce more limits would compromise many jobs in Victoria’s gambling market.
“Cr Lake clearly has no regard whatsoever for the very many jobs that exist in his municipality as a result of gaming venues, where an overwhelming majority of patrons gamble responsibly,” O’Donohue continues. This is going to be a fierce debate.
We will keep you updated as this story develops.
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