At its November 2022 meeting, the Monash City Council adopted a new Public Health Approach to Gambling Harm Policy as part of its commitment to support its community to lead happy and healthy lives.
The endorsement of the new policy is set to enhance the Monash Council’s commitment to reduce gambling-related harm both within the city of Monash and also in the country. As representatives of the City Council noted, the body’s members are aware of the fact they are the closest level of Government to the local community, so the Council plays an important role in promoting safe and responsible gambling and protecting the health and well-being of the community members.
The Monash City Council revealed that the intention of its latest Gambling Harm Policy is to express the body’s commitment to the reduction of gambling-related harm and continue the city’s policy to make sure Monash remains a leader and promoter of changes on this exact public health issue within the sector.
Monash has been ranked as one of the top 10 local Government areas in the state of Victoria featuring the highest losses on electronic gambling machines (EGMs), also known as pokies. According to reports, local residents lost a total of AU$84.9 million on EGMs in the 2021/2022 year, although venues were closed for a total of 89 days in that Covid-19-affected year.
Various Initiatives Aimed at Reducing Gambling Harm Unveiled by the Monash City Council
Monash Mayor, Cr Tina Samardzija said that municipal body having legislative and administrative powers across Melbourne can play a direct role in the prevention of gambling-related harm, with the one in Monash already having a history of advocating for such activities. She further noted that the city and its official representatives remain committed to research, research, enforcement actions and ongoing partnerships that would help the city prevent harm inflicted by all forms of gambling on the local committees.
The City Council is a founding member of the Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR) and currently works with them on a variety of major advocacy campaigns. Now, Monash City Council unveiled its Gambling Harm Policy to respond to the social and financial harm associated with various gambling issues.
The City Council is set to support various initiatives aimed at reducing gambling-related harm through advocacy of safer and responsible gambling and education. It also intends to advocate for the implementation of regulatory reform in the local gambling industry, with some of the planned measures involving the implementation of a $1 maximum bet limit on poker machines, elimination of sports betting advertising, as well as reduced opening hours of local gambling venues.
The Monash City Council also will not provide any resources or support to clubs or community groups that promote gambling, especially the aforementioned poker machine venues, online gambling, and sports betting. It also plans to allow access to Council-owned land and facilities for clubs or community groups that are in line with the new Gambling Harm Policy of the body.
- Author
Olivia Cole
