GAMBLERS have lost $45 million to poker machines on the Mornington Peninsula in the past six months, eight per cent more than before the COVID pandemic.
The escalating losses and high number of machines within the municipality will be discussed and analysed at a free forum headed by the Rev Dr Tim Costello and Rose O’Leary, advocacy and policy manager of the Alliance for Gambling Reform Committee.
The Progress in Pokies Reform on the Peninsula forum will coincide with an announcement about the state government’s adoption of recommendations stemming from the recent Crown Casino Royal Commission.
The Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh will speak about a council sub-committee which is also working on the pokies issue.
O’Leary said the peninsula had 17 venues with poker machines on, the second highest number of venues of any Victorian municipality after Geelong.
She said many other local government areas had also experienced heavier than normal losses to power machines since COVID and lockdowns.
“Rosebud Hotel has the highest losses of all venues on the peninsula, with nearly $7 million being lost to the poker machines in that venue over the last 6 months,” O’Leary said.
The Progress in Pokies Reform on the Peninsula forum will be held on Father’s Day, Sunday 4 September, 2.30pm-4pm at St Marks Uniting Church, Barkly Street, Mornington.
There will be tea and coffee after questions and there is parking opposite the church.
Details: Dr David Price 0418 752 093 or the Rev Claire Dawe 5975 1943.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 16 August 2022
