Council voted unanimously this week to amend its pokie policy to reduce its current 663 cap by about 30 per cent.

Cr Ben Taylor, who proposed the move, called pokies a “leech” on the Ballarat community.

He called the current cap unacceptable, exceeding both Bendigo and the state average.

“It’s imperative we send a clear message to the community and the state government on this issue,” Cr Taylor said.

“The harm on our community is huge and it’s growing every year.

“Council has to amend its electronic gaming maching policy to clearly articulate that the current gaming machine cap of 663 machines for Ballarat is unacceptable.”

Ballarat currently has 14 venues that host 657 EGMs, with 9.3 machines per 1000 adults, according to the council’s EGM policy document.

This compares with 7.1 machines per 1000 adults in Bendigo (547 pokies) and a state average of 6.4.

While the drop will not result in an immediate change in the number of machines currently available to Ballarat punters, it would enable council to more effectively fight pokie venue applications, Cr Taylor said.

His motion means the city will now request the State Government reduce the Ballarat gambling cap to the state average, cutting it by about 200 machines.

“The only way we can stop pokies popping up is to reduce the cap,” Cr Taylor said.

“Then we can justify refusing these applications, otherwise it puts council in a bad financial position to fight something that’s unwinnable.

“Every time we go to VCAT we don’t have a leg to stand on unless we say we want a reduction.”

At the same meeting an application by the Red Lion Hotel for nine extra machines was refused.

Council discussions regarding 30 more EGMS at the Mercure Hotel were held in camera, as the matter is currently before VCAT.

Council refused the application in October and a council source said council’s position had not changed.