Council Seeks Stronger State Action on Gambling
Georges River Council in New South Wales is set to consider a motion next week calling for stronger action to tackle poker machine gambling harms. This initiative has the backing of Wesley Mission.
Wesley Mission's General Manager, Joel MacKay, highlighted the community's weekly losses of approximately $5 million on poker machines. These losses could reach half a billion dollars annually by 2030 if current trends continue.
MacKay stated, "That is money that should be supporting families, local businesses and community wellbeing." The motion seeks to address gambling as a public health issue, urging the NSW Government to implement measures such as cashless gaming and reduced operating hours.
Community Impact and Support
The motion recognises the significant public health issue posed by gambling harm and calls for caps on machine numbers and increased support funding. MacKay expressed concern that local communities are dealing with the consequences of gambling harm without sufficient regulatory power.
"Start with the obvious and power down poker machines between midnight and 10am," MacKay suggested, emphasizing that an overnight shutdown could save families millions and reduce harm immediately.
Wesley Mission has launched the 'Put Pokies in their Place' campaign, which is supported by over 60 organisations across NSW. Georges River Council is the first to formally endorse this campaign. MacKay encouraged other councils to join the initiative to signal readiness for change to the State Government.
The motion is particularly significant in Georges River's diverse community. More than half the population speaks a language other than English, which increases the risk of gambling harm. Wesley Mission continues to advocate for reforms to foster healthier communities.
At a recent public forum, MacKay highlighted the urgent need for reform, "Councils are responding to the social impact every day, however the levers for change sit with the State Government." He emphasised that a simple overnight shutdown would be strongly supported by the community.
Wesley Mission is calling for practical, evidence-based reform to address gambling harm. The organisation is advocating for stronger measures including cashless gaming, reduced operating hours, and increased support funding to help mitigate the impact on families.
Last updated: 21 April 2026, 1:04 pm
