Back when slot machines were initially introduced in the 1950s to Victoria, both significant losses and gains were recorded. These gaming machines first started appearing in clubs in 1956, initially in NSW. Decades on, they’ve embedded themselves in Australian culture—remarkably, 21% of all slot machines worldwide are in Australia, yet the online population consists of a mere 0.34% of the world. video poker Recent analysis recalculates that billions of Australian dollars have vanished since pokies debuted in Victoria in 1956. Fast forward to 2022, officials are grappling with removing pokies from Melbourne's bustling city center. Despite these efforts, last week's approval for a new installation of 50 machines was driven by current laws, even amid a three-year-old proposal to revise these regulations, which remains unacted upon.
Pokies in the state of Victoria
Last update: May, 2024

This proposal isn’t about outright denying new slot applications. It's about guaranteeing their presence only in suitable locations. Acting Lord Mayor Reece has emphasized that Melbourne needs stricter control over where gaming establishments are permitted. Hence, they suggested amending the gaming policy in 2019 with planning scheme C366.
This week's report published by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control highlights the $66 billion lost to video slots over three decades. Councillor Leppert addressed the introduction of more slots in Melbourne, stating that regardless of the employment opportunities these provide, the detrimental effects on the community are monumental.
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