Punters’ spending sparks concern

By Paul Dunlop
POKIE punters in Pakenham blew almost $17 million in 2005 and are on target to lose even more – sparking concerns the community has a gambling problem.
The annual loss equates to $372 for every adult in the Cardinia Shire.
Pakenham currently has 212 gaming machines operating in four venues.
And plans are in place to raise the stakes even higher with 48 extra machines approved by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation for a new Castello’s hotel on the Princes Highway, which has planning approval.
Despite Cardinia Shire falling well under the state tolerance level of 10 machines per 1000 adults, the machine density in Pakenham is currently 14.5 machines per 1000 adults.
All of the poker machines in the shire are based in Pakenham.
Cardinia Shire mayor Kate Lempriere said she was concerned about the number of poker machines in town and the effect they were having on some people in the community.
Cr Lempriere said she was very concerned about the impact of pokies on the community.
“Money being spent on gaming could be used to feed families,” she said.
Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation figures put the town’s electronic gaming machine turnover at more than $123 million every year.
Cr Lempriere’s concerns come as the council braces itself to cope with recent changes to state planning policy that means any venue, hotel or club wanting to install gaming machines must now apply to the council for a permit.
Cr Lempriere said it was a big responsibility for the council.
Despite Cardinia’s annual loss per adult being considerably lower than the metropolitan average of $679 per adult, gambling remained a problem, she said.