1. Eradicating harm from Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs)
Introductions
Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of land we are meeting on today, the Kulin nation. I would like to pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging and I extend that respect to other Indigenous people who are present.
Opportunity to share Darebin’s Recent Electronic Gaming Machine Policy and how it’s going.
Alanta Colley Health promotion officer

2. Outline Background: Evidence base of the harm caused by EGMs
Darebin’s Electronic Gaming Machine Policy
Response to date

3. $70bn loss projected in Victoria.
Australia’s betting rules allow people to lose up to $1498 an hour on EGMs.
Many EGMs minimum bet that can be placed is $5
24 hour access across the state.
Free food and drink supplied to EGM users.
Free pick up service and drop off service offered by EGM venues
Air conditioning and heating.

4. Legal gambling losses in Victoria
2000/2001
2016/17
Change: 2000/1 to 2016/17
Types of Gambling in Victoria
Losses
Losses adjusted for inflation
Per cent of legal gambling losses
Percent change: 2000/ /17
Numeric change 2000/1-2016/17
Racing
$504
$744
12.1
$459
8.4
-38.4
-285.4
Sports betting
$15
$22
0.4
$327
6.0
1407.1
305.8
Casino
$946
$1,398
22.7
$1,556
28.4
11.3
158.4
EGMs *
$2,366
$3,497
56.8
$2,610
47.7
-25.4
-887.5
Instant Lottery
$23
$34
0.6
$20
-40.7
-13.8
Keno $7
$10
0.2
130.5
13.2
Lotteries $5 $8
0.1 $0
0.0
-100.0
-7.8
Lotto
$303
$448
7.3
$478
8.7
6.8
30.5
Pools $1 $2
-27.0
-0.4
Total gaming
$3,651
$5,396
87.6
$4,689
85.6
-13.1
-707.4
Out of all gambling losses in Victoria, losses to EGMs are almost five times higher than the next highest avenue of gambling losses (racing). Online sports betting is the fastest growing.
Older cohorts are using EGMs. Online gaming mainly utilised by younger generations.
* Electronic Gambling Machines (EGMS) and/or ‘pokies’

5. Selected EGM Losses by Low SEIFA LGA 2017/2018
Darebin has now reached the maximum number of EGMs per LGA permitted under state law.
Most of the losses in Darebin are experienced by the most disadvantaged communities that live in the north of the city that have the greatest number and density of EGMs.

6. Annual Years of Life Lost to Disability in the Victorian Adult Population
Combined gambling losses of low, moderate and high use gambling harm the third highest factor in annual years of life lost to Disability in Victorian Adult population.
It is Council’s view that gambling through EGMs has had and will continue to have a negative effect to individuals, families and communities.
The cumulative detriment caused by the consistent high annual losses incurred in Darebin is reflected in a range of poor socioeconomic and wellbeing indicators.

7. Association between EGM Gambling losses per Adult ($) and rates of Police Callouts to Family Incidents: Selected Metropolitan Municipalities
EGM $ Losses per adult 2015/2016
Rate of family incident callouts 2015/16
Hume
720
1596
Whittlesea
679
1468
Darebin
677
1091
Banyule
556
1043
Moreland
457
1115
Yarra
419
1090
Nillumbik
171
623
Victoria
526
1310
Correlation Coefficient: 0.87
Source: Understanding the link between Family Violence and Gambling: Information for Local Government – Women’s Health in the North
The strong, positive relationship between EGM gambling losses per adult and rates of police callouts to family incidents.
Family violence is three times more likely to occur. in families in which there is problem gambling than in families in which there are no gambling problems

8. EGMs: Community Benefit?
In context of conversations surrounding EGMs there is a perception of community benefit contributions being a key revenue stream for community organisations and activities.
In Victoria, club EGM venues are required to submit an annual community benefit statement to the VCGLR which demonstrates that they have provided at least 8.3% of their gambling revenue to community purposes.
Monash University undertook a closer analysis: only 2.6% were actual funds, gifts or sponsorship provided to the community, despite the claims lodged to the VCGLR.
The analysis showed that 97.3% of the funds were reinvested into the operations and capital works of the clubs themselves.
The study also showed that 0% was provided for the provision of responsible gambling measures and activities, excluding those measures required by law (Monash University 2015).

9. Darebin’s Electronic Gaming Machine Policy and Action Plan 2018-2022
In December 2018 Darebin Council endorsed the Darebin Electronic Gaming Machine Policy and Action Plan
The Policy and Action Plan reflects Council’s commitment to reducing harm associated with EGM gambling,
providing greater player protection and giving communities a greater voice in any new
planning and licensing applications.
The primary focus of this policy is the reduction of harm caused by EGMs.
The secondary focus is the reduction of harm caused by online gambling and sports betting using the
internet and mobile apps. The policy will be enacted through four priority areas and
strategies that seek to maximise Council’s investment and influence, and provide a structure
to guide future actions.

10. Darebin’s Electronic Gaming Machine Policy and Action Plan 2018-2022
Policy Aim: to make the City of Darebin free of the harm associated with Electronic Gaming Machines
Systems based approach
Public health approach
Changing our Language:
People harmed by gambling
Gambling losses
Darebin’s focus on the evidence that EGMS are designed to promote addiction, remove the focus on ‘problem gamblers’ behaviour as the cause to gambling addiction.
Systems based approach: Darebin’s focus is reforming the system that exposes people to this harm.
Old language – Non public health approach
Problem Gamblers
Responsible Gambling
Gambling expenditure

11. Policy Focus:
1. Legislation and Regulation: To exercise the full extent of Council's regulatory and
legislative mandate to minimise harm from EGMs.
2. Advocacy: Council will continue to be recognised as a state wide leader in driving
changes to reform those systems and structures that cause gambling-related harm to
the Darebin community.
3. Organisational Alignment: Council will take a whole of organisation approach to
minimising harm, acknowledging that all our activities can contribute to minimising
harm.
4. Evidence Research Data: Council will develop a strong, robust and defensible
evidence base that will enhance Council’s capacity to effectively influence the location,
management and operation of EGMs in the municipality and contribute to broader
evidence base.
Legislation Regulation: To exercise the full extent of Council's regulatory and legislative mandate to minimise harm from EGMs.
For example: Submission of Economic and Social Impact Submissions in the event of applications for additional EGMs in Darebin.
2. Advocacy: Advocating for change of the laws and regulations at the local, state and federal level.
3. Organisational Alignment: Council will take a whole of organisation approach to minimising harm, acknowledging that all our activities can contribute to minimising harm.
4. Evidence Research Data: Policy is driven by evidence, not community opinion. Due to stigma surrounding gambling – self reported data on gambling losses not as reliable as centralised data.

12. Working with Community
Divestment:
Darebin will not allow EGMs on Council owned or managed land.
Community grants: will not provide funding to organisations receiving revenue from EGMs or meeting in venues with EGMs. Prioritised funding for orgs implementing Harm reduction programs.
Transitions Plans: Supporting sporting clubs and other organisations who receive council funding and EGM funding to undertake transition plans to divest themselves from EGM funding over time. Council will acknowledge and honour any existing arrangements between sporting clubs, community groups, organisations, associations or Council programs and EGM operators, owners and venues until a mutually suitable and tailored transition plan has been finalised.
Planning Scheme: Embed EGM policy in planning scheme
Leasing/Contracts: Ensure all leasing/contracts reflect EGM policy

13. Policy Strategy Area: Advocacy and Literacy
225,013
EVERY DAY!
Darebin
residents lose
to pokies
pokiesplaydarebin.org.au
Pokies_Darebin2000x2500mm [VR2]_ indd 1 24/12/ :58:19 AM
Policy Strategy Area: Advocacy and Literacy
Partnered with the Alliance for Gambling Reform to support their state-level lobbying and advocacy.
Creating community awareness of the extent of the impact
Advocating for reform of Gambling Regulation Act to Consumer Affairs.
Engage in consultation processes with VCGLR.
Training: Mental Health First Aid – Gambling Focus for staff to build literacy on Gambling harm.
Support all community facing staff to feel confident in referral to Gambling support services.

14. Policies and program alignment
Opportunity to align programs to policy objectives:
‘Libraries after Dark’ to provide an alternative location for people to go at night instead of gambling.
Council is also focused on providing additional venues and resources to clubs and groups to support them using non- EGM venues.

15. Achievements to date
Wide scale discussions with seniors clubs and sporting clubs.
Embedded new criteria in Community Grants
Mayoral Letters to Minister for Consumer Affairs on Responsible Code of Conduct for EGM venues
‘Pokies Play you’ signs and social media
Incorporation into Lease Agreements
State Funding for Libraries After Dark
Planning an event ‘Preventing Pokies Harm: What can you do?’

16. What we’ve heard from Community
Perception of ‘individual choice’ still prevalent.
Perception of targeting sporting clubs.
Overall positive feedback.

17. Questions? Feel free to get in touch, to discuss further:
Questions?