THE CITY of Greater Bendigo has moved to assure clubs they would not lose their leases on council-managed land if they have electronic gaming machines.
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It comes after one venue outlined its concerns about a draft council consultation policy proposing a shift to a public health footing.
The Kangaroo Flat Community Enterprise raised the issue in a submission seen by the Bendigo Advertiser.
The draft policy does not contain any clauses speaking specifically to that possibility, but the enterprise feared clauses taken together could open the door for future council decisions.
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"We speculate ... it will now consider in line with their Policy to not renew the Crown lease for the Sports Club in the future if [gaming machines] continue to operate," the document states.
The draft policy's author Vicki Mason said that would not be the case, but said the document did potentially open the door to some groups paying commercial leases.
She welcomed feedback, which would potentially see the council begin implementing a number of public health approaches to gambling.
"This is a draft. We just want to put the document out there and give everyone the chance to put their cents' worth in," she said.
Once the council had signed off the policy would be implemented over four years, Ms Mason said.
Advocacy group the Alliance for Gambling Reform said other councils had taken a stand against gambling venues as public values changed.
"It's not right to have a dangerous, addictive product available on council land," the group's chief advocate Tim Costello said.
He said it was one of the great indictments on our society that not-for-profits had become so tied to gambling profits.
"The inordinate harm that comes from gambling goes completely against the values of community groups," Reverend Costello said.
"We should never have gotten into a situation where community groups are reliant on gambling harm for their survival."
Gambling venues helping community, operators say
Multiple Bendigo clubs have told the Advertiser this sort of characterisation is unfair and ignores Victorian controls already in place around poker machines, as well as support programs and proliferation of other forms of gambling including on the internet.
One person connected with a not-for-profit told the Advertiser they were concerned too much attention was being drawn away from questions about the council's role in gambling policy and going to whether the form of entertainment was inherently bad.
Multiple groups have now come out publicly to reveal their concerns about the draft policy, including the Bendigo RSL.
It wants to give the council feedback on the draft policy's language on a number of clauses, including around restricting trading hours and donations community groups who receive funds not-for-profit groups gave out.
Story continues below draft policy document
The RSL's general manager Martin Beekes said not-for-profits used gaming machines and other revenue were there to benefit society
"Every cent we make is put back into the community to put kids on soccer pitches, or in our case for veterans," Mr Beekes said.
That included crisis accommodation, mental health support and other help for veterans.
Both the Bendigo RSL and the KFCE fear the policy could also hurt community groups because the council would minimise its own support for those sponsored by gaming machines operators, potentially forcing them into unfair choices about funds.
"So this policy has far reaching consequences," Mr Beekes said.
Mr Beekes said gambling was a legal form of entertainment that the overwhelming majority of participants did not have a problem with it.
Not everyone in the not-for-profit sector is convinced they should use gaming machines.
For example, only a fifth of the state's RSL clubs have them.
One veteran at a Melbourne RSL branch who asked for anonymity to speak frankly said it was not a bad thing for fellow clubs to shed their focus on poker machines, pots and parmas.
"An RSL's intended purpose is to be a safe place for veterans, where they can talk and network," they said.
The veteran said Bendigo RSL members tended to use the sheds out the back of the complex to talk about experiences they could not properly grapple with when speaking to spouses or friends who had not served.
"You can't go in there [the Bendigo RSL's bistro] and talk about shooting Taliban in front of the public," they said.
More research needed on ex-service groups' gambling activities
A 2020 study found that 7.7 per cent of veterans returning from the Middle East reported gambling challenges, with 2.2 per cent saying they experienced particular gambling harm
The study by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation found more research was needed on ex-service members' gambling activities and environments, including at veterans' organisations.
About 70 per cent of Victorians gambled in some form over a 12 month period, a separate study published by the same group showed.
Less than one per cent likely had a gambling disorder, but there were signs 14 per cent showed at least some signs of gambling harm, researchers found.
The study also cautioned that it was not just gamblers themselves who were harmed. Family, friends and the wider community also saw negative effects.
The Bendigo council's draft policy was influenced by recent research on emerging ideas about gambling harm and who it impacted, outside of gamblers themselves.
The council has extended its deadline for submissions on the gambling changes until August 6.
Gamblers Helpline: 1800 858 858 gamblershelp.com.au
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