Concerns new west Melbourne housing too close to pokies

Residents of a proposed housing development in Deer Park, Melbourne's west, are worried about the proximity of the project to two nearby pubs with high poker machine losses. The Deer Park Hotel reported $19.5 million in gambling losses last financial year, while the Deer Park Club added another $17 million. Local resident Graeme Blore has long campaigned against the plans, stating that the area has one of the highest rates of gambling losses in Melbourne, with punters losing $185 million in 2022.

Both major political parties in Victoria have differing approaches to gambling reform ahead of the upcoming election. The West Party, which recently gained a member, has proposed removing addictive features from poker machines and implementing stricter controls. The Labor government, however, has only recently introduced a scheme to force punters to preset their gambling limits.

The broader issue of the social impact of problem gambling, estimated at $14 billion in Victoria, has been largely ignored by the major parties. Critics argue that the industry is profiting at the expense of vulnerable Victorians.