Monash Council has welcomed the Victorian Government’s proposed new gambling reforms.
The harm prevention measures announced this week are strongly aligned with Council’s Public Health Approach to Gambling Harm Policy, which outlines Council’s commitment to reducing gambling harms across the City of Monash.
Monash remains among the top 10 local government areas in Victoria on electronic gambling machines (EGM) losses and is tracking towards one of its highest annual losses in years, with $112.2 million taken by Monash EGM venues between July 2022 and May 2023.
Council’s Public Health Approach to Gambling Harm Policy recognises that harms associated with gambling continue to be a major public health issue both within the City of Monash and more broadly across Australia.
Mayor, Cr Tina Samardzija said it is great to see the Victorian Government stepping up and exercising the substantial influence it has to reduce the impact of gambling harms in our community.
“Council has a strong history of leading and advocating for gambling harm prevention. Most recently we have advocated for the mandatory precommitment scheme and the reduction in gambling room hours – previously it has been possible to gamble for 24 hours-a-day in Monash. These proposed reforms are very welcome.
“We are committed to ongoing partnerships, advocacy and research, and will soon launch a new community awareness campaign to reinforce our commitment to making our community spaces free of gambling advertising and sponsorship,” said Cr Samardzija.
Monash Council is a founding member of the Alliance for Gambling Reform and work with them on key advocacy campaigns.
