The decision means the development is likely to go to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

City of Greater Bendigo officers had recommenced councillors refuse the 30 more machines.

The vote was split four to three, with councillors Rod Fyffe, Peter Cox, James Reade and Bruce Phillips against the development.

Cr Reade said rejecting the development would send a strong signal to authorities that Bendigo had enough poker machines.

Bendigo Stadium officials wanted the additional machines, which would take its total to 105, to help fund a multi-million dollar arena.

“I think it is really sad that we has a community rely on pokie revenue to fund development,” Cr Reade said.

Cr Cox praised the facility but said more machines were inappropriate.

“I believe strongly that council has a responsibility to represent its community and implement its policies and 30 additional machines at Bendigo Stadium is clearly outside our policy and therefore the council should refuse the application,” he said.

“If we don’t our policy is not worth the paper it is written on.”

Councillors Lisa Ruffell, Alec Sandner and Barry Lyons said they voted in favour of the development to save ratepayers the cost of contesting the matter at VCAT.

But Cr Phillips said the matter was likely to go to VCAT even if the council did approve the machines, given the 88 objections to the development.

He said approving the application would “send a message to authorities that council is not serious about its policy”.

Cr Ruffell offered a moment of entertainment for the chamber when mid-sentence she wished her team luck for the AFL grand final.

“Go Pies this weekend,” she said.

The Victorian Commission Gambling Regulation this month approved the application, despite the council refusing to support the bid.