Gambling Policy 2020

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Council is updating its Gambling Policy and wants community input on this important issue.

We held community consultation earlier this year to seek your views on how Council should respond to gambling harm in our community (Read what the community had to say in the Document Library on this page).

We've taken your feedback and drafted our new Gambling Policy featuring 11 key statements. Council is now checking back in with the community to confirm that the Draft Gambling Policy (available in the Document Library) has captured your views.

What does the new policy say:

1. Council will strongly advocate for and implement initiatives to reduce gambling harm in the Kingston community. It will support the advocacy of other local governments or organisations for reform to the regulation of gambling, a reduction in EGMs in Kingston and other gambling related issues. All advocacy positions will be detailed in Council’s Gambling Action Plan.

2. Council will complete a social and economic impact assessment for every EGM application made to the VCGLR. Council will oppose any applications where evidence indicates the net social and economic impact will be detrimental to the wellbeing of the Kingston community. Council will also identify areas in Kingston of higher vulnerability to gambling harm and work toward no additional EGMs being located in these areas. This applies to applications for new EGM licences, increases in EGMs or transfers of EGMs in Kingston or neighbouring Councils within a 2.5km radius.

3. Council will take a public health approach and work in collaboration with State Government, other local Councils and relevant organisations to reduce the negative impacts from gambling harm experienced by the Kingston community.

4. Council will not accept financial contributions from gambling venues/operators and will not promote community contributions offered by local gambling venues/operators (grant programs, donations, sponsorships), unless there is significant community benefit demonstrated.

5. Council will not provide community grants, funding, sponsorship, publicity or promotion for community groups/organisations that undertake or promote gambling, unless there is significant community benefit demonstrated. Council will encourage any community group/organisation to transition away from gambling.

6. Council will not support new requests for gambling promotion or advertising on Council-owned or managed land, resources and facilities. Council will encourage any community group/organisation to transition away from gambling.

7. Council will not support new agreements for Council owned or managed land or facilities to be provided to any clubs, community groups, organisations or associations who undertake gambling activities in Kingston or elsewhere, unless there is significant community benefit demonstrated. Council will encourage any community group/organisation to transition away from gambling.

8. Council will not run any Council and community events, activities, programs and social outings in venues that have gaming machines, unless the venue offers a unique setting and there is no viable alternative. Council will encourage and support transitions away from any existing arrangements.

9. Council will raise community awareness about the facts of gambling and promote a range of non-gambling social activities in Kingston to encourage engaged, active and healthy lifestyle choices and reduce gambling harm.

10. Council will actively promote support services available to assist people who are experiencing issues associated with gambling harm.

11. Council will support research into the impacts of gambling and the development of effective harm minimisation strategies.


Have your Say:

Let us know if you support the draft Gambling Policy by:

  • completing the short online survey below
  • adding a comment in the Guestbook below
  • emailing your submission to info@kingston.vic.gov.au
  • posting your submission to City of Kingston, PO Box 1000, Mentone 3194




Council is updating its Gambling Policy and wants community input on this important issue.

We held community consultation earlier this year to seek your views on how Council should respond to gambling harm in our community (Read what the community had to say in the Document Library on this page).

We've taken your feedback and drafted our new Gambling Policy featuring 11 key statements. Council is now checking back in with the community to confirm that the Draft Gambling Policy (available in the Document Library) has captured your views.

What does the new policy say:

1. Council will strongly advocate for and implement initiatives to reduce gambling harm in the Kingston community. It will support the advocacy of other local governments or organisations for reform to the regulation of gambling, a reduction in EGMs in Kingston and other gambling related issues. All advocacy positions will be detailed in Council’s Gambling Action Plan.

2. Council will complete a social and economic impact assessment for every EGM application made to the VCGLR. Council will oppose any applications where evidence indicates the net social and economic impact will be detrimental to the wellbeing of the Kingston community. Council will also identify areas in Kingston of higher vulnerability to gambling harm and work toward no additional EGMs being located in these areas. This applies to applications for new EGM licences, increases in EGMs or transfers of EGMs in Kingston or neighbouring Councils within a 2.5km radius.

3. Council will take a public health approach and work in collaboration with State Government, other local Councils and relevant organisations to reduce the negative impacts from gambling harm experienced by the Kingston community.

4. Council will not accept financial contributions from gambling venues/operators and will not promote community contributions offered by local gambling venues/operators (grant programs, donations, sponsorships), unless there is significant community benefit demonstrated.

5. Council will not provide community grants, funding, sponsorship, publicity or promotion for community groups/organisations that undertake or promote gambling, unless there is significant community benefit demonstrated. Council will encourage any community group/organisation to transition away from gambling.

6. Council will not support new requests for gambling promotion or advertising on Council-owned or managed land, resources and facilities. Council will encourage any community group/organisation to transition away from gambling.

7. Council will not support new agreements for Council owned or managed land or facilities to be provided to any clubs, community groups, organisations or associations who undertake gambling activities in Kingston or elsewhere, unless there is significant community benefit demonstrated. Council will encourage any community group/organisation to transition away from gambling.

8. Council will not run any Council and community events, activities, programs and social outings in venues that have gaming machines, unless the venue offers a unique setting and there is no viable alternative. Council will encourage and support transitions away from any existing arrangements.

9. Council will raise community awareness about the facts of gambling and promote a range of non-gambling social activities in Kingston to encourage engaged, active and healthy lifestyle choices and reduce gambling harm.

10. Council will actively promote support services available to assist people who are experiencing issues associated with gambling harm.

11. Council will support research into the impacts of gambling and the development of effective harm minimisation strategies.


Have your Say:

Let us know if you support the draft Gambling Policy by:

  • completing the short online survey below
  • adding a comment in the Guestbook below
  • emailing your submission to info@kingston.vic.gov.au
  • posting your submission to City of Kingston, PO Box 1000, Mentone 3194




  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
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Page last updated: 08 Feb 2024, 12:01 PM