Elsie Lange
Despite a recent decline in Hume’s pokies spending, council is concerned about a 29 per cent increase in losses on the previous year between the months of April and May.
In April, Star Weekly reported Hume’s $12.6 million spend on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in the month of March – the largest loss in 20 years.
Hume’s services and living director Hector Gaston said despite the $392,445 decrease in pokies spending in the municipality, the general trend was worrying.
“Data from May 2022, shows that Hume experienced an increase of more than $2.5 million in losses when compared to 2021,” Mr Gaston said.
“This is of concern to council, particularly at a time when communities are still experiencing the negative impacts of COVID-19, as well as the emerging financial stresses of rising fuel, food and other household costs.”
In May, the monthly spend on EGMs in Hume was $11,940,170 and nearly $93 million for the 2021-22 financial year.
Across four Sunbury pokies venues, almost $5 million was lost on EGMs in the last financial year.
Monash University gambling expert Associate Professor Charles Livingstone said while EGM spending fluctuates throughout the year, the increased cost of living and the declining real value of wages may have also contributed to the decline.
“If real cost of living exceeds wage rises, we may see a continuation of this trend,” Associate Professor Livingstone said.
“However, a recession, triggering unemployment… may see increased spending as people become more stressed and anxious about their future.”
Associate Professor Livingstone said to reduce gambling harms, communities should put pressure on local and state governments to reduce the availability of EGM gambling, push for reductions in opening hours and venues, as well as resisting donations from EGM pubs and clubs.
Mr Gaston said council is continuing to implement its five-year Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy in response to spending in Hume, working with partner gambling associations and networks “its concerns of gambling losses”.
“As well as [exploring] ways to minimise gambling harms, which includes the establishment of a Hume community gambling network that can advocate against, and address, gambling harms,” Mr Gaston said.
