Thank you for contacting me about gambling harm. I appreciate you making time to write to me about this important issue. Our Labor Candidates for the Inner West Council are committed to reducing harm from problem gambling in our communities. We applaud the work of the Alliance for Gambling Reform and your work in addressing harm caused by problem gambling. We see a critical need for ongoing commitment in this area, at a Federal, State and Council level.
Our Inner West Council Labor candidates support:
● Advocating the state government to reduce the opening hours for poker machines.
● A more comprehensive application process for additional Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs).
● Removing gambling from advertising on council properties and spaces.
That’s why we have committed to our “Special Entertainment Precincts'' (SEP) on Enmore Road, a first for our Local Government Area (LGA). We have introduced the first SEP on Enmore Road, and announced a further commitment to expand these precincts to Darling Street in Balmain, and Marrickville Road in Marrickville. Our policy to develop more “Special Entertainment Precincts'' will allow venues to have real incentives for live music, theatre, comedy, and other cultural activities, instead of relying on poker machines. Labor is committed to protecting and investing in these venues, which will see a transition away from pokies to a more vibrant community space where creative and entertainment industries can flourish.
In addition to this, our Inner West Council Labor candidates commit to:
● Not taking donations from the gambling sector lobbyist, and
● Removing advertising of gambling in Council facilities and properties.
● Reducing gambling harm in our LGA by incentivising venues to ‘ditch the pokies’ and engage in a more vibrant entertainment industry.
● Advocating the state government to reform the sector to ensure practical solutions that affect individuals and families, particularly working class families.
We know people in NSW are concerned about the number of poker machines in their communities, and the harm that they cause. We also understand the additional issues of problem gambling, including drug and alcohol dependence and domestic and family violence – all of which need our attention and strong commitment to address. Inner West Council Labor candidates will continue advocating for industry reform to state and federal stakeholders.
The Inner West Council can play an important role in reducing the harm caused by problem gambling. The Inner West is home to 1,812 poker machines across 88 premises. That’s a staggering average of 27 poker machines at each venue. People in our community lost $152m in the period 2020-2021, which equates to a weekly loss of nearly $3k per person. We understand that reducing poker machine operating hours, removing incentives and loyalty schemes are just some of the policies for preventing harm from gambling and poker machines. That’s why we need to elect Labor Councillors who will protect their residents from gambling harm now and into the future.
Thank you again for writing to me about this important issue. If I can ever be of assistance in any Council matters, please reach out and contact me again -
Your Labor Candidates for the Inner West Council