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Grand Junction Hotel first non-club venue accredited

Celebrate the first non-club gaming machine venue to receive accreditation

By Latrobe City Council - 29th November 2001 - Back to News

Traralgon’s Grand Junction Hotel has become the first non-club gaming machine venue to receive accreditation under Latrobe City Council’s Gambling Accreditation Charter.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said the venue was to be congratulated on attaining the highest award, five-stars, and being the first venue of its type to participate in the program.

"Council’s gaming premises accreditation program seeks to reduce any negative impacts of gambling in the community through a system of accrediting gaming venues on steps they implement to overcome problem gambling," Cr Jenkins said.

"Problem gamblers exist in Latrobe and in all local communities, and while a number of programs exist to help problem gamblers, much is being done at a venue level to reduce opportunities for problems to occur.

"Ensuring there is an appropriate awareness of time, social alternatives to the gaming machine area for patrons, adequate display of material that helps people recognise that they have a problem, are all features venues can implement to reduce problem gambling. These are all features assessed in Latrobe City’s accreditation process," Cr Jenkins said.

"The Grand Junction Hotel is a Tabcorp premises, and all six Tabcorp venues in Latrobe City have now taken up the challenge of the social responsibility attached in attaining the highest award given under the program. Tabcorp have encouraged their venues to participate in Council's gambling accreditation program, and it is to their credit that they have taken their responsibilities so seriously.

"Each of the accredited gaming premises forgoes paying rates, but pays the equivalent of one hundred and ten percent of their rates directly into a trust fund administered by the Latrobe City Trust. The Latrobe City Trust then makes grants towards programs that provide alternatives to gambling.

"This is a win-win situation where people affected by gambling can take time out and become involved in constructive group activities. Through these programs they are able to develop new interests and friendships, and break their reliance on gambling as a social requirement in their life," Cr Jenkins said.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com

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