CASEY is set to take a "zero growth" stand on poker machines.

It will also ask the state government to extend suburb-based caps on machine numbers to the whole municipality.

The moves are part of a new five-year gaming machine strategy and follow a report, tabled at a council meeting last week, that found partial caps had not reduced problem gambling in Casey.

The report found reduced access to poker machines in some suburbs did not reduce the rate of problem gambling.

Spending on pokies by gamblers from capped suburbs – Hampton Park, Doveton, Eumemmerring, Hallam, Lyndhurst, Lynbrook and parts of Cranbourne, Skye and Devon Meadows – was in some cases higher than in uncapped suburbs.

Problem gamblers in capped areas could still easily access poker machines in nearby suburbs, the report found.

"The regional caps have effectively managed expenditure in the capped postcodes but have not been effective in reducing total expenditure across the municipality."

The report, compiled by Symplan Consulting, recommended caps be extended to cover Casey's 899 poker machines and 13 venues.

Under the proposed "zero growth" strategy, the council would not support gaming applications for new venues or new poker machines for existing venues on council land. It would also not support gaming applications in suburbs where poker machine density was above the state average.

Casey mayor Lorraine Wreford

acknowledged that legal gaming was a "social activity" and that gaming venues provide "opportunities for entertainment, recreation and socialising".

"However, the gambling behaviour of some participants, especially with respect to electronic gaming machines, is of concern, particularly due to the financial and social costs associated with gambling beyond an individual's means," Cr Wreford said.

A state government spokesman said the aim of the regional caps policy was to protect vulnerable regions from any further concentration of gaming machines.

"We have given local governments greater control over the placement of gaming machines within their municipalities," he said.

"Before any more machines may be placed in a given municipality, both local council and the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation must approve it."

The council's strategy is open for public comment until September 24.