GREATER Dandenong Council is set to oppose a move by Springvale RSL to garner 11 extra poker machines.

The RSL has lodged an application with the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation to increase its allocation of gaming machines from 44 to 55.

Last week, Cr Paul Donovan successfully moved that the council lodge its intention to object to the application. This was on the basis of the huge losses on pokies in Greater Dandenong of $117.3 million in 2010-11 or about $1100 for every adult resident.

Cr Donovan said the machines were addictive and programmed to give long-term punters "no chance" of winning. "They target areas where people have an abundance of time on their hands and are disadvantaged."

Cr Donovan said stopping the extra machines was a start until "we see sense and get rid of them altogether".

However, councillors John Kelly and Peter Brown spoke against the move on the basis that some of the profits go back into the RSL and therefore the community.

In 2010-11, Springvale RSL's poker machines paid out $3.6 million, of which the RSL kept one third. The rest of the proceeds were shared by gaming operator Tattersall's and the state government.

From its share, the RSL gave $34,147 in community contributions, and spent more than $450,000 on its club. Its community donations were markedly less (as shown above) than the Noble Park RSL and Dandenong RSL, which also house poker machines.

Cr Brown said the extra 11 machines at Springvale would not change the habits of gamblers but cater for peak demand in evenings, particularly on Saturdays.

He said to halt the move would "open the door" for 11 more machines for a less community-minded operator. Under the council's cap of 989 machines, there is room for 45 more machines in Greater Dandenong.

Springvale RSL manager Peter Smith declined to comment.