Brimbank City Council has called on the Victorian Government to tighten restrictions on pokies venues following a surge in Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) losses in the city during the 2025-26 financial year.
Over the 12-month period, Brimbank experienced its largest year-on-year losses pokies losses to date at over $185 million – equivalent to $500,000 a day. The figure was the highest in Victoria and $9.5 million up on 2024-25.
Despite the Victorian Government introducing municipal caps on pokies numbers to limit the numbers in areas of disadvantage or with high levels of gambling-related harm, since 2017, Brimbank has been at the maximum level of 953 EGMs.
Council is urgently calling on the Government to introduce changes to limit gambling harm including:
– further extending the closing hours of gaming venues from 4am-10am to 12am-10am, to help reduce the risks associated with late-night and extended gambling over long periods without an enforced break in play
– reducing the overall number of pokies (EGMs) permitted in Brimbank over time, including the introduction of a ‘sinking cap’ mechanism where EGMs that are surrendered are not moved to other venues in the municipality
– reducing EFTPOS withdrawal limits at gaming venues
– urgently delivering on its legislated EGM reforms, in particular the rollout of mandatory pre-commitment limits and carded play across all gaming venues in Victoria.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Virginia Tachos said the devastating impacts of gambling harm extend well beyond financial losses.
“We know the wide-ranging effects gambling harm has in contributing to financial stress, relationship breakdowns, family violence, housing insecurity, homelessness, social isolation and mental health challenges,” Cr Tachos said.
“As one of Victoria’s most socioeconomically disadvantaged municipalities, Brimbank is particularly vulnerable.
“We continue to advocate for stronger gambling harm prevention measures because the current system is failing to protect our community and contributing to ongoing harm.
“We expect the State Government to deliver stronger gambling protections, and we will continue to hold them accountable until real change is made.”
