You are here: Home > Community & Health > Responsible Gambling
Responsible Gambling
Council acknowledges that pokies are a form of recreational activity that can have a negative impact for some people, their families and the broader community. With this in mind, Council recognises that it has a responsibility – shared with the state government and the gaming industry – to minimise the impacts of gambling on the Whitehorse community.
The City of Whitehorse has seven gaming venues and 554 electronic gaming machines i.e. ‘pokies’. Council is committed to the number of pokies remaining static within the municipality. This involves assessing every application for any proposed new gaming venue or change in the number of pokies in an existing venue in accordance with the Responsible Gambling Policy and Action Plan 2004-2006.
Council continues to support emergency relief and counselling agencies to provide assistance to those people affected by gambling.
Gambler's Help Eastern
Gambler's Help Eastern counsellors help men and women of all ages, from different cultural groups and varying income levels. While about 90% of people who contact the service are affected by the use of poker machines, other types of gambling include horse racing, casino and internet gambling.
Most people who contact Gambler's Help Eastern gamble problematically but some are living with a gambler or have a friend who gambles. Counsellors can work with the gambler as well as people affected by someone else's gambling. Financial counsellors work with people on debt issues while gambling counsellors can help people understand why they gamble and support them to either reduce or stop gambling. Gambler's Help Eastern offers information sessions and training opportunities for the general public and organisations.
Counsellors who speak languages other than English are available and information can be provided in 13 languages.
All services are free, confidential and located throughout the eastern metropolitan region. To find out more, phone the Gambler's Help intake line on 1300 131 973.
Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation
If you want to find out more about gambling regulation and statistics on electronic gaming machine expenditure in local areas, visit the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation www.vcgr.vic.gov.au