Pokies reform
Our advocacy
Last year, over $2.69 billion was lost in pokies across Victoria. That is the equivalent of $550 per adult, or $7.38 million lost every day! Pokies machines are concentrated in areas of social and economic disadvantage. Those who can least afford to carry this burden are being targeted by big operators.
The MAV has joined with councils and many other organisations as a founding supporter of the Alliance for Gambling Reform. Launched in October 2015, the Alliance seeks to campaign for reforms to the gambling industry to reduce harm from poker machines and to protect disadvantaged communities from the infiltration of increasing numbers of poker machines.
The goal of the Alliance is to secure a $1 maximum bet on poker machines, together with a suite of complementary harm reduction measures – such as changes to opening hours, access to cash machines in gambling venues, and increased local government and community say over the planning approval of poker machine gambling.
About the Alliance
The Alliance continues our advocacy work commenced in our Enough Pokies campaign with 40 councils in the lead up to the 2014 State Election. The work that was undertaken during this campaign provided strong motivation for reform to the placement and design of poker machines.
Building on the work of Enough Pokies is a key part of the mission of the Alliance with Victorian local government as a driving force in supporting and assisting the Alliance.
The Alliance is a national collaboration of organisations with a shared concern about the harmful and unjust impacts of gambling in Australia. The Alliance board membership is comprised of leading experts and public spokespeople in gambling prevention, representing agencies across Victoria and Australia.
Find out more
- Download the Alliance state election 2018 policy summary (PDF - 70.5KB)
- Alliance website: Pokies Play You
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReformGambling
- Twitter: @pokiecon
- Vic Councils: Gambling reform campaign
Gambling research documents
The following resources were developed to inform local government’s advocacy approach to reduce community harm caused by electronic gaming machines: