Poker machines have never nabbed as much money from Bendigo punters as they have in the past twelve months, data from Victoria’s gambling regulator has revealed.
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A Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation report shows Bendigo machines swallowed more than $48.5 million in the 2015/16 financial year, about $1 million more than during the previous 12-month period.
The rise in pokies revenue was helped along by the arrival of 15 new machines in the city last March.
The Bendigo District RSL had the biggest increase in poker machine income, taking $600,000 more since last June than in 2014/15.
Club general manager Martin Beekes said money made by poker machines at his venue was funneled into projects to help veterans and their community.
“It's not like it’s a pub where it goes back to one person's back pocket,” he said.
He would not say whether the club would increase its community contributions in line with its 2015/16 windfall, nor would he speculate on the reason for the rise in his club’s poker machine takings.
Despite health and support services like Lifeline identifying gambling as a cause for mental anguis, Mr Beekes said cash from gaming could fund mental health initiatives for newly returned servicemen and women.
In the same time it took Bendigo pokies revenue to rise by $1 million, the city’s Anglicare Victoria office has seen 429 problem gamblers reach out for help.
Regional director Carolyn Wallace said as much as half of the money put into poker machines had come from problem gamblers.
Ms Wallace said it was up the community to pressure their government into poker machine reform.
“Ultimately, governments will do what the electorate is asking and demanding,” she said.
But asked for their position on poker machines inside RSLs, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs said it did not have a policy in relation to the facilities RSL clubs provided their community.
“Problem gambling is an issue that affects the entire community,” a DVA spokesperson said.
“It is a matter for individual RSL clubs what facilities they offer for patrons.”
A rise in poker machine spending occurred in 47 of the 56 Victorian municipalities surveyed, many of which are located in central Victoria.
Central Goldfields saw pokies expenditure jump by $100,000, while $500,000 more went into machines in Macedon Ranges than in the previous year.
Figures for 2015/16 saw a rise of $400,000 in Campaspe poker machine earnings.
Ms Wallace urged problem gamblers and their loved ones to phone Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858 or text the service on 0447 141 868.