The City of Ballarat is leading the national debate on problem gambling with its resolution to advocate the Victorian State Government for a reduction in the city’s gaming machines.
With a population of 98,000, Ballarat is home to 657 electronic gaming machines (EGMs), just six machines less than the city’s gaming machine cap of 663. The EGM cap was set by the Victorian State Government in 2006.
The City of Ballarat is requesting a reduction of the city’s cap to 454 machines from the State Government, bringing the number of machines down to the Victorian average cap of 6.28 machines per 1,000 adults.
Ballarat Responsible Gambling Committee Chairman and City Councillor Des Hudson said that City of Ballarat is concerned about the prevalence and accessibility of EGMs and the flow on effects for the health and wellbeing of the local community.
“We acknowledge that electronic gaming is a legal business and a legitimate recreational activity however we are concerned about the very large number of gaming machines in the City of Ballarat. In 2010, EGMs in the City of Ballarat generated revenue of more than $55 million and that’s a lot of money that’s leaving the wallets and purses of our local people.”
Cr Hudson said local government does not have control of gaming machines and that serious conversations with State Government are necessary to make a reduction of Ballarat’s EGM cap a reality.
“We understand the issue of reducing gaming machines is complex and that meaningful discussion on the subject may be challenging, however we look forward to working with the Victorian State Government to make positive changes to Ballarat’s gaming machine cap. The City of Ballarat understands the important role EGMs play in local business revenue and will propose a State Government buyback scheme to adequately compensate hoteliers for the machines.
On Wednesday, 24 August, the City of Ballarat Council voted to adopt its Gaming Machine Community Policy – August 2011, amended to reflect Council’s position to reduce the number of Electronic Gaming Machines to the Victorian State Average.
The City of Ballarat also resolved to finalise the City of Ballarat Gaming Policy Framework which will give Council greater control over the location of gaming machines within the municipality.
“Eighty two percent of Ballarat’s residents live within 2.5 kms of an EGM. The Gaming Policy Framework takes an appropriate approach to managing gaming in Ballarat by discouraging gaming machines in socially disadvantaged areas and seeking to locate gaming venues in the CBD and major recreational facilities.”