Greater Bendigo City Council has adopted a new policy to minimise the harmful impact of gambling in the community.

The Reducing Harm from Gambling Policy, approved last month, will address the impacts of gambling in all forms but will focus on Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) because they are the most dominant source of financial loss and harm in Australia.

This policy came about after high rates of harm from gambling were identified through Council’s planning projects.

Mayor Andrea Metcalf would like the city to be a leader in reducing the effects of gambling on the community.

“The objective of the policy is to ensure the Greater Bendigo community does not experience negative social and economic impacts from gambling,” she said in a statement.

“Harm from gambling impacts not only on the individual but also affects other family members, friends, local businesses and communities.” 

Impact of gambling on community

The overall amounts lost on gambling across the City are not available, however, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation estimates the net losses to be over 50 million dollars.

“In 2018 and 2019, $50,671,968 was lost on EGMs in Greater Bendigo at 11 hotels and clubs who jointly operate 661 machines,” Ms Metcalf said.

The City is committed to several changes over the next four years, including advocating to the state government for gambling regulatory reforms.

Some of this could be the introduction of $1 maximum bet limits, the removal of Automated Teller Machines and other cash dispensing machines from EGM venues and reduced operating hours for EGM operators.

“The objective of the policy is to ensure the Greater Bendigo community does not experience negative social and economic impacts from gambling.” – Mayor Andrea Metcalf

The City will also prohibit the advertising and promotion of gambling, in any form, at Council-owned or managed facilities, support gambling-related research and provide updated gambling data on its website.

Community opposed

When the draft policy was released for community consultation in June, the majority of respondents were not happy, with 73 out of 95 of the respondents opposed to the policy.

Most of those respondents, 46 out of 73, raised concerns about the impact of the policy on sporting or other community-based clubs due to loss of funds provided by EGM operators.

“In 2018 and 2019, $50,671,968 was lost on EGMs in Greater Bendigo at 11 hotels and clubs who jointly operate 661 machines.” – Mayor Andrea Metcalf

Others were concerned about the impact of the policy on veterans or wanted more consultation from Council with local sporting and community-based clubs.

However, Ms Metcalf said the community’s dissatisfaction was due to a misunderstanding.

“Many submissions were based on the misunderstanding that the Council has the power and desire to remove all EGMs across the City, which is not possible nor is it the intent of the policy,” she said. 

However, the key themes of the submissions were analysed and considered by Council and the draft policy was updated.

The next review of the policy will take place in December 2023.