Pokies ban call

By Lia Bichel
A FUTURE policy rejecting business applications for gaming machines could help combat serious social problems in Casey, according to councillor Sam Aziz.
Cr Aziz said he hoped the council would adopt a new policy to protect Casey residents.
“The problem is with the issues caused by gambling, like enormous suffering, family break-up and homelessness. These are issues we should avoid at all costs.”
Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation revealed gaming expenditure in Casey venues increased by 15.28 per cent in the last year, from $9.9 million in December 2007 to $11.3 million in December 2008.
The figures come after information released by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation predicted that Casey residents will lose more than $127.5 million in local venues this financial year – the highest ever recorded.
Cr Aziz said he would like council to implement a strict policy that would see zero or minimal growth of gaming machines in Casey.
“I would like to craft a policy as restrictive as possible. I am very pro industry and pro local business, but we have to restrict the growth of these monsters.”
Cr Aziz said he understood the machines are supplying a great deal of revenue to sporting clubs and that much of the profits were returned to the community, but said businesses and the City of Casey should consider different options for funding projects.
“I don’t believe that revenue for businesses should be based on the misery of other people,” he said.