Council welcomes trial to prevent gambling harm

Published on 28 July 2025

Monash Council welcomes the Victorian Government’s trial of new measures to reduce gambling harm from pokies.

Monash is one of three areas in Victoria where mandatory account-based gambling will be trialled from September to November, providing people with greater control on how much they lose on pokies.

Gamblers using pokies in Monash will have to set up an account, allowing them to set time-based limits. For example, they may set a $50 daily limit and if this is reached - they will be locked out.

Monash Acting Mayor, Cr Brian Little, is pleased Monash is one of the trial sites.

“In the 2023-24 financial year pokies took $121.4m from our community. These machines prey on people and cause harm.

“Reducing harm from gambling is a key priority for Council and this is an important step in our advocacy with the Victorian Government.

“There is more to do, and we hope to work with both federal and state governments to better protect our community.

“We look forward to working with the Victorian Government to evaluate this trial and implement longer term solutions,” added Cr Little.

Council will consult the community later this year to refresh its public health approach to gambling harm.

Read the Victorian Government’s media release for more information.