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Who's telling pokie porkies? The NSW Department of Gaming and Racing claims it has not received a single letter of opposition from Fairfield Council to any local club's request for more poker machines in the last 12 months. This is despite the council having a strict gambling policy and acknowledging that gambling is a major issue in the area. Since February 2006, there have been five submissions to the Department of Gaming and Racing for a total increase of 88 poker machines at licensed venues in the area. A department spokesman said Fairfield Council had not made a submission on any of the applications, either approving or opposing the increases. Councillor Thang Ngo has been campaigning against the increase in poker machines for years and said he was appalled the department said it had not received a submission. "The advice I have received from council is that they have made submissions opposing each application" he said. "I would be very shocked to find out that isn't true." He said the council has a responsibility to follow through with it's gambling policy - which is currently under review - and to let the community know when an application for more poker machines is submitted to the department. Recent poker machine approvals: |