PORTLAND is on track to lose significantly more money through pokies machines in a financial year than ever before, in spite of the rising cost of living putting pressure on families.

In the last six months of 2022, $4,398,561 was lost through the four gambling venues in the city, where all 120 machines in the Glenelg Shire area can be found, newly-released reports show

That makes for an average of $169,175 lost through the machines each week, or $275 for every person over 20 in the shire, all in just half a year.

The most lost in a year as it currently stands was just over $7.4 million in 2008/09, while the most in the last decade was $7 million in 2018/19.

The numbers unsurprisingly dipped significantly through the COVID19 pandemic as health restrictions closed the doors on gambling establishments for months, but gamblers losses have surged beyond pre-pandemic levels since venues have fully re-opened.

The biggest losses recorded in Portland for the six-month period, with $1,544,924 through its 32 machines, was the Richmond Henty Hotel, which changed hands to new owners Black Rhino Group in the mid-year.

Black Rhino, which owns 24 hotels and two nightclubs throughout Victoria as well as more interstate, now also operates the Gordon Hotel which recorded $1,016,217 in punter losses through 23 machines over the same period.

The second biggest losses recorded were at the Portland RSL Memorial Bowling Club with $1,150,718 lost through its 40 machines, while the Portland Football and Netball Club saw $686,703 lost through 25 machines – all for the final sixth months of 2022.

The four venues make for a total of 120 machines, 37 short of the allowable limit set by Glenelg Shire Council.

The Observer’s asked the Black Rhino Group if the multi-million dollar upgrades advertised on banners at the front of the Richmond Henty included an increase in machines, but received no response.

Gambler’s support is limited in Portland, with financial counselling provided locally by organisations including The Salvation Army and Brophy Family and Youth Services, and Gamblers Help session in visits from Warrnambool-based Bethany Community Support.

Portland Salvation Army Captain Peter Stamp said the organisation offered referrals and often “pick up the pieces” when gambling addiction shatters families, and was not surprised at the increasing losses that the statistics show.

“We've come out of COVID and lockdowns in the last couple of years where people have just been at home and isolated,” Mr Stamp.

“We've moved into this space of recovery and people are re-engaging in the community, and we’re talking now about the fact that the pokies in Portland is a place of community, where people see their social lives and engage with people.

“That's where people are moving back into, so rather than moving back into healthy spaces of connecting with other people and positive environments.

“People, even though the pokies are having a huge impact on their finances, they’re losing their families and they can’t even put food on the table, they’re getting that fulfillment and sense of belonging even though it’s costing them everything.

For people who want to go out, the choices for entertainment in Portland are limited gambling, or not much else, said Mr Stamp, and when they go into those gambling rooms they are treated well and made to feel good.

“They get treated like a star basically, because they're going in there to lose their money and make money for owners of the pokies machines.”

Mr Stamp said he sees situations where people have lost their entire pay packet through the pokies and are unable to support their families “all the time”, and is especially concerned given the rising cost of living.

Gambling addicts who frequent the machines are a different demographic to those trying to win big through betting or lotteries, according to Mr Stamp.

“It’s a different mindset, the pokies take your money very, very slow, so you won't notice until it's too late and give you those little hits of joy to keep you going, plus there is that sense of belonging about the place as well to keep them in.

As for a solution, Mr Stamp said that more positive alternatives for entertainment and an increase in support services would go a long way, in combination with restrictions on people’s ability to endlessly lose money through the machines.

“It’s an easy thing to say we need more resources, but it is so strained at the moment in the social support field with people leaving because of stress, and not enough people wanting to train and go down that path,” he said.

“So there’s a lot more to it than just saying we need more money.”

Location based statistics are not recorded for online betting, and Mr Stamp said the extent of the problem remains unknown, and can take away the shame that sometimes keeps some people away from pokies venues.

“You can sit there and do it in your home, so if people don’t want to be seen going into the venues, or don’t like to go out, it’s just a step easier.”

Gambler's Help: 1800 858 858, Lifeline: 13 11 14