Cr Vernon Knight has asked council officers to investigate the intricacies of establishing a “casino free” status for the region.

Cr Knight questioned whether council had the ability to declare the region a casino free zone.

The question comes on the back of a Department of Justice report that reveals the Loddon Mallee region has the highest number of problem gamblers per population in Victoria outside the metropolitan area.

Only Melbourne’s north western suburbs had a higher percentage than the Loddon Mallee which was equal on a per capita basis to that of the southern metropolitan area.

The government probe – A Study of Gambling in Victoria – found that 1.18 per cent of gamblers in the north-west metropolitan area had a problem history, while 0.78 per cent of gamblers in the Loddon Mallee were problem gamblers.

The Grampians had the lowest percentage of problem gamblers at just 0.05 per cent – well below the state average of 0.7 per cent.

Gaming and entertainment expert John Haddad has nominated Mildura as the site for the state’s second casino citing the city’s location, accessibility and riverfront as key attractions.

The Mildura Entertainment and Conference Centre would incorporate a five-star hotel, conference facility, specialty shops and gaming area.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Tuesday’s Sunraysia Daily 10/11/2009.