PLAYERS’ pokies losses in Wodonga have blown out by more than half a million dollars.
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The startling development has been revealed in latest statistics released by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation.
The $7.472 million “total amount lost by players” is spread across five venues in the Wodonga local government area.
By far the largest amount lost was through the 80 machines at Elgin’s Hotel.
The player losses at Elgin’s totalled $4,845,531.06 for the 2014-15 financial year, a substantial increase on the 2013-14 figure of $4,425,281.57.
This was part of the $2.57 billion lost through poker machines in Victoria last year on 26,000 machines, a 2.7 per cent increase on the previous year.
Gateway Community Health’s David Rosewarne said he could not comment on the figures as these did not reveal any specifics related to problem gambling.
But the gamblers help counsellor said the people at Gateway certainly saw issues such as relationship breakdowns, the financial problems from loans, an increase in substance abuse and mental health issues.
“For some people it’s loss of employment, homelessness and the worst-case scenario is suicide,” he said.
“We’re there for anybody who is affected by gambling, and that’s family and friends, employers.”
Mr Rosewarne said help was not just limited to the gambler.
“I don’t necessarily have a problem with the figures if people were being responsible with their gambling,” he said.
“Certainly we recommend people set time and money limits before they start, try not to mix alcohol with your gambling and don’t do it when you’re upset or depressed.
“Only gamble for fun. Never see it as a way to try to make money or get yourself out of financial holes.”
Concerns about problem gambling have not been at a financial loss to the state government, which realised more than $1 billion in taxes from the pokies.
Not all North East local government areas were on the loss-making slope.
The 10 machines at the Corroyong Sporting Complex delivered player losses of $318,358.87.
That was down on the 2013-14 figure for the venue of $370,088.62.
Benalla’s three venues though – the town’s bowls and golf clubs and the Royal Hotel, with a total of 105 machines – served up player losses of $4,866,018.05.
Wangaratta players’ growing losses most closely matched that of Wodonga, the $8,128,251.05 figure an increase of more than $270,000 on the 2013-14 tally of $7,856.837.79.
