Australia: New policy bans gambling in Joondalup while allowing limited community gaming
Joondalup moves to block wagering at all city-run facilities.
Key points:
– Gambling now banned on all City of Joondalup properties
– Exceptions made for bingo, raffles, community fundraising
– Policy prompted by application to install wagering outlet
The City of Joondalup has implemented a formal ban on gambling across all its owned and managed properties, with councillors voting unanimously in favour of the new policy at a recent meeting. The move was first reported by PerthNow.
The policy prohibits any form of wagering activity within city facilities such as libraries, community halls and sports clubrooms, while still permitting low-scale gaming events used for community engagement or charitable fundraising.
“The city recognises that gambling-related harm extends beyond individuals to affect families and the broader community,” officials noted in a report. “To help reduce harm and address associated social issues, the city prohibits any wagering activities on city-owned or managed property, for any purpose.”
Councillor Daniel Kingston, who introduced the motion, stated that the policy followed a request from a city tenant to open a wagering outlet at a community venue. He stressed that the rule was aimed at organised betting operations such as club TABs, rather than community entertainment.
Good to know: The policy does not restrict bingo nights, social poker events or charity lotteries, which are still permitted under the city’s new guidelines
The decision comes against the backdrop of rising national concern over gambling losses. Data from the Australian Gambling Research Centre showed that 73% of adults took part in some form of gambling in 2022, with lotteries, horse racing and sports betting among the most common.
Joondalup’s new policy aims to strike a balance between supporting community activities and minimising the social costs of gambling.
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