Speaking after a community meeting in Narre Warren earlier this month, Chris Freethy from Southern Gamblers Help said the State Government's statewide cap on poker machines to be introduced in 2010 would see growth areas as the obvious target for more gaming venues.

"Councils in growth areas can no longer look at gaming applications on a case-by-case basis; they need to keep in mind what they'll do with the next 11 or so applications, and whether the community can sustain them," he said.

Mr Freethy said there was no guarantee that changes introduced last week to the Gambling Legislation Act to reduce gambling spending would work. Changes to the Act now mean accumulated credits of more than $1000 on gaming machines must be paid by cheque, down from the previous limit of $2000.

Mr Freethy addressed about 20 residents at Narre Warren's Don Boscoe Primary School opposing the application for 60poker machines at the new Casey Towers.

He said areas like Narre Warren and Berwick had not reached their gaming machine cap, like Cranbourne, and were likely to be hit with even more gaming venue applications.

Narre Warren already has the second highest number of problem gamblers in Casey next to Cranbourne, despite low machine density, according to Southern Gamblers Help's figures.

"Given that Narre Warren and Berwick don't have high machine density and are not low socioeconomic areas, there is little cause for the gaming commission to knock back applications there.

"Councils need to be wary of that and make sure their policies reflect community concern, rather than their own desire for development funds."

Last financial year, $107 million was lost at Casey's 12 poker machine venues, with a total of 879 machines operating almost around the clock. Each pokie in Casey, on average, took just over $122,000 from punters. Casey Mayor Janet Halsall said Casey Council was presently reviewing its gaming policy.