Abstract: There is strong evidence that problem gambling is a localised behaviour, and that one in seven regulars at poker machine venues are having problems with their gambling. Collectively, these regulars are contributing 40 per cent of the entire revenue from poker machines in Australia. They are losing more money than they can afford, and the community loses too. These losses have an impact on the strength of community wellbeing, beyond the devastations experienced by the individuals. How does a community cope with the introduction of poker machines? As local government social and health planners, we ask ourselves this question when a gaming application appears and the social impact assessment takes place. The City of Whittlesea has some of the highest poker machine losses in Victoria, but successfully limiting the number of poker machines as a harm minimisation measure is difficult to achieve. When a unique opportunity presented itself, Whittlesea Council partnered with Federation University to undertake ‘pre and post’ surveys of local residents to see if the impact could be measured. This study analyses data collected on community wellbeing before and after the introduction of poker machines in a locality. Reporting on preliminary findings, there was a noticeable decline in sense of community measured by sense of safety and sense of belonging. The responses from the pre survey accurately predicted the impact on wellbeing reported in the post survey. There was little change detected in gambling behaviours and risk of problem gambling. Community attitudes toward gambling had remained stable. Quantifying these aspects of community strength and studying the impacts will contribute to local government social and health planning. The research will help establish useful indicators for assessing measurable impacts of poker machines on communities, particularly in the vicinity of new housing developments.