It has lodged a proposal with the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation for a share of the city’s 547 poker machines.

Foundry Complex owner Mike Kuchel said the application was socially responsible.

“We’re only after a transfer of machines that are currently in Bendigo,” he said.

“We’re not wanting to increase the amount.

“It would be foolish to contemplate 30 new machines for Bendigo.

“We do not want to increase the amount of problem gambling already here.”

Figures released by the commission show that on average more than $42,000 was pumped into each of the 547 gaming machines at 10 gaming venues in Bendigo during the first six months of this financial year.

People put more than $23.1 million into the gaming machines from July to December last year.

In 2006 the State Government announced that from August 2012, the gaming industry in Victoria would change to an operator-owner system, where gaming operators would bid for and own gaming machine entitlements.

In April, a gaming machine entitlement auction will be held where venue operators bid for machines.

Greater Bendigo Council is preparing an economic and social submission to the commission in response to the Foundry’s application.

A report will be presented to the council tomorrow night on the progress of the submission.

The submission is expected to be put to the council on March 3.