UPDATE: Hume Council has just announced a groundbreaking shift in its approach to gambling harm, unveiling a draft Gambling Harm Policy during its meeting on November 24, 2023. This new policy aims to take a far more rigorous stance than the previous 2019 version, which relied heavily on advisory language and lacked enforceability.
Councilor Karen Shery emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating, “This new draft includes clear binding and enforceable clauses.” The draft introduces stringent regulations for venues on council-owned or managed land, mandating annual community value statements and requiring venues with Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) to pay full market rent in new or renewed leases.
This urgent reform also includes heightened expectations for accountability and transparency. Notably, the draft formalizes prohibitions on gambling advertising in council facilities and establishes clearer parameters for council events, grants, and partnerships involving gambling venues.
The implications of this policy are far-reaching, particularly as Hume ranks as the third highest in EGM expenditure across Victoria. In the 2024/25 period alone, Hume residents lost an alarming $147.9 million to EGMs, marking the highest annual loss on record. The south of Hume, including suburbs like Gladstone Park, was the hardest hit, with losses totaling $89.3 million, while northern suburbs like Craigieburn and Sunbury faced losses of $34.7 million and $23.9 million respectively.
The draft policy also advocates for a sinking cap aimed at reducing the number of EGMs throughout the municipality. However, not all council members are convinced that the policy goes far enough. Councilor Naim Kurt expressed concerns, stating, “Some of that money should be returned to infrastructure investment in those clubs,” highlighting the disproportionate losses experienced across Hume. He noted that over the years, five venues operating EGM machines have accounted for a staggering $331 million in losses for the community, representing 18% of the total $1.8 billion lost across the municipality from 2008 to 2025.
This urgent policy draft is currently open for public feedback until February 15, 2024. Residents are encouraged to voice their opinions and contribute to this critical issue. For more details, visit: https://participate.hume.vic.gov.au/gambling-in-hume.
As Hume Council moves forward with this essential policy reform, the community is urged to stay engaged and informed about the changes that aim to minimize gambling harm and its impact on residents.
