People playing the pokies lost more than $4 million dollars to gaming machines in Greater Bendigo last month.
Figures yesterday released by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation showed a $122,802 increase in losses to the city’s 601 electronic gaming machines since April.
Pokies losses in Greater Bendigo accounted for $4,042,494.80 in May.
The three venues with electronic gaming machines in the Central Goldfields shire stripped players of a total of $867,734 during the same period – a $16,556 rise compared with the previous month.
While, in Macedon Ranges, losses at pokies in the shire’s three licensed venues rose by $133,875 to $866,698.
Losses at the 254 gaming machines in Campaspe shire decreased last month, from $816,793 to $812,015.
People in Victoria lost a total of $227.24 million was lost to the pokies last month, according to the Alliance for Gambling Reform.
Alliance director and spokesperson Tim Costello called on the state’s major political parties to make election commitments that would reverse the rising losses.
Victorians go to the polls on November 24.
Emma D'Agostino
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
