By Brendan Rees
Pokies money from Lynbrook Hotel will be handed over to Casey Council to distribute to not-for-profit community groups after new conditions were imposed on the hotel’s licence.
After years of lobbying from the Lynbrook community, Casey Council and Federal Member for Holt Anthony Bryne, the Lynbrook Hotel has finally been forced to make $68,000 of annual community contributions from poker machines over a four-and-half year period to Casey Council.
It is understood that when the Lynbrook Hotel was granted its licence for 55 electronic gaming machines (EGMs), the licensee agreed to make $100,000 of community contributions over five years to the Lynbrook community which was never upheld.
The Lynbrook Residents Association has been “fighting a long running battle” with the Lynbrook Hotel to get them to honour their commitment to the community.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) handed down the amended condition on the Lynbrook Hotel’s licence in February this year.
Casey Council Officer Michael Pollard told councillors during their council meeting on 1 May, that should the licensee fail to meet its obligation, in whole or part, the use of all EGMs would have to cease immediately.
“The legal advice sought was particularly pertaining to areas governing structures that need to be put in place,” he said.
“It’s certainly is about establishing appropriate governing structures and accepting there is an element of risk, reputational risk, and potential conflicts of interest.”
Casey Councillors voted to receive annual funds from the Lynbrook Hotel on 1 May – but the decision came with three councillors dissenting.
Cr Wayne Smith said: “This is not about supporting or not supporting gaming machines.”
“History tells us that unless we get involved that the distribution of the money can’t be guaranteed to stay local,” he said.
Dissenting councillor Tim Jackson said: “It’s really the governance issues and legal issues that have me against this.”
LRA president Jason Wood said: “We would prefer for Council to opt-in, and as such, we are very happy with the outcome of last Tuesday’s council meeting.”
“Having Council oversee the disbursement of the funds would provide a fair distribution for groups in the areas local to the hotel,” he said.
Spokesman for the director of The Alliance for Gambling Reform Tim Costello said Casey Council should be careful about not getting entangled with the gambling industry.
“The Lynbrook Hotel has a long history of failing to deliver promised payments,” he said.
“It is reasonable for council to be involved to ensure these mandatory payments ordered by the regulator actually find their way to the community or into gambling harm prevention programs.”
Mr Costello said it was important that any payments are not used to “dilute community opposition” to the spread of gambling harm, including the application by the Lynbrook Hotel for an additional 20 machines which is due to be decided by council in the coming weeks.
