Thursday, 18 May 2023

Gambling regulation

David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (12:05): (146) My question is for the minister for gaming, represented by Minister Blandthorn in this chamber. The City of Brimbank in my region holds the unenviable record of the highest poker machine losses of any local government area in Victoria – over $1.29 billion over the last decade. The Gambling Regulation Act requires gaming machines in hotels and clubs to be shut down for 4 hours each day. This mandatory break is aimed at protecting vulnerable people from gambling-related harm. However, venues in Brimbank are seemingly colluding to circumvent the law by staggering their opening and closing times to ensure that people can keep gambling 24 hours a day by simply moving between proximate venues. So my question is: what does the minister propose to do to address this loophole and prevent this type of exploitation of vulnerable problem gamblers?

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:06): Thank you, Mr Ettershank, for your question. I will pass it to the minister for gaming and ensure that she provides you with an answer.

David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (12:07): I thank the minister for her response. The Alliance for Gambling Reform recommends mandatory poker machine closing hours of midnight to 10 am. Has the minister considered this type of law reform as a solution to the issues I highlighted?

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:07): Thank you again, Mr Ettershank, and I will again pass your supplementary question to the minister and ask that she provide you with an answer in accordance with the standing orders.