Vic pokie numbers frozen for 25 years

Victoria has frozen the number of poker machines in the state for the next 25 years, but anti-gambling campaigners say the reform doesn't go far enough.

A man plays poker machines inside a club in Melbourne

Victoria has frozen the number of poker machines in the state for the next 25 years. (AAP)

Pokie machine numbers in Victoria have been frozen at 27,372 for the next 25 years, angering anti-gambling advocates who say it will lock in community harm.

The maximum number of gaming machines in a single venue will be capped at 105, Gaming Minister Marlene Kairouz announced on Friday.

"Not a single extra gaming machine will be allowed in Victoria for the next 25 years, helping limit gambling-related harm in our community," Ms Kairouz said.

The minister said the reforms provide certainty to pubs, clubs and hotels and were informed by an extensive review involving more than 200 public submissions.

However Victorian Greens MP and anti-gambling advocate Colleen Hartland said the government had guaranteed "more pokies harm" and the reforms did not go far enough.

"Pokies rip billions of dollars from Victorian communities each year and Labor is now locking in this crisis for another three decades," Ms Hartland said.

She said gambling addiction lead to crime, family breakdown and job loss with the money going into pokies not going back into the community.

Maurice Blackburn lawyer and former Labor MP Jennifer Kanis said the announcement was "significant", and the balance had been tipped in favour of the pokie machine industry for "too long".

"Governments and venues alike have been reluctant to take serious action to ensure a sensible and responsible balance is struck, particularly in vulnerable communities," she said.

Ms Kanis urged other states and venues to consider similar measures, and said while it could impact on tax revenue it would ensure a more level playing field.


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Source: AAP


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