By Brendan Rees
Casey community groups providing support services will be able to cash in up to $10,000 from pokies money generated by the Lynbrook Hotel.
It comes as the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation directed the Lynbrook Hotel in 2018 to make an annual cash contribution of $68,000, as a condition of its gaming licence, to Casey Council.
Community groups, organisations, and schools located within Casey, which directly support residents of Lynbrook, Lyndhurst, Hampton Park and the wider Casey community, can now apply for up to $10,000 and a minimum of $1,000, as part of the Lynbrook Hotel Community Contributions Fund.
Figures show in the year to 30 June, Lynbrook Hotel raked in $8.9 million from its 55 electronic gaming machines while Casey as a whole recorded a total of $132.4 million in losses.
But Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon was adamant council was not endorsing gaming and gambling providers, products or services.
She said the funds would be made to groups and organisations supporting people experiencing hardship as a result of problem gambling, mental health support programs, social inclusion and promoting recreational activities.
“Our position on gaming machines has not changed and we are very aware of the social detriment that is caused to our communities as a result of gaming machines. We will continue to maintain our responsibilities to the community including social responsibilities in relation to gambling,” she said.
Rev Tim Costello, chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform said the problem with the funding was it “reinforces the concept that there is some sort of ‘community benefit’ to gambling, when there is none.”
“This pathetic $68,000 is coming off the back of the immense harm caused by gambling in Casey, to the tune of $362,632 per day lost on poker machines over the past financial year.”
Mr Costello said the losses at the Lynbrook Hotel averaged at $24,614 per day last financial year, adding “this piddling $68,000 doesn’t even represent three days of losses and gambling harm there. It’s more of an insult to the community, not a benefit,” he said.
It is anticipated the funds will primarily be distributed to benefit residents of Lynbrook, Lyndhurst and Hampton Park, being the primary patron catchment of the venue.
Two information sessions about the fund will be held on Monday 7 October at 10am at the Lynbrook Community Centre, and 6pm at Bunjil Place.
To book contact City of Casey Customer Service on 9705 5200 or email gofficer@casey.vic.gov.au
Applications are open from Monday 7 October until Friday 1 November. Applications and guidelines are available at casey.vic.gov.au/lynbrook-hotel-community-contributions-fund
