While councillors voted 3-2 at last week’s meeting against giving support for the RSL to increase its pokie numbers from 32 to 50, the final decision will be made by the Victorian Commission for Gaming and Liquor Regulation.

RSL sub-branch president Ash Power will present his case to the commission during a two-day hearing starting on Monday in Melbourne, hoping to convince members the extra pokies would not lead to more gambling problems and domestic violence in Wangaratta.

He told The Border Mail he was disappointed because in productive conversations with councillors as far back as before 2013, the revenue from extra pokies was always a vital part of the plan to move the sub-branch from its small base on Victory Parade into the Sydney Hotel.

“I was a bit surprised by the decision,” he said.

“The plan hasn’t changed … We strongly believe in what we’re doing.”

The RSL sub-branch had offered to increase its community contributions to $25,000 per year and get behind any gambling support services.

Lieutenant General Power said without extra pokies revenue, the RSL may have to sell the Sydney Hotel and go back to its old building, which was too small for a growing membership base.

“Up until a couple of years ago, we were struggling financially,” he said.

“We’re going to build a real community asset … (but without the extra revenue) I think we’d end up where the club was a few years ago.”

The VCGLR is expected to make its final decision by July.