BUSINESSES that want pokie machines in the inner north will need to meet social and public health requirements as part of Yarra Council's first gaming strategy.

The council last week released Yarra Gaming Strategy: A Community Wellbeing Approach. The policy outlines the council's response to gambling and calls for increased education about the risk of pokies, with a focus on disadvantaged groups. A voluntary "responsible gaming protocol" will also be established in collaboration with gaming venues.

"Council has chosen a community well-being approach in recognition of the harms to the greater community from electronic gaming in the municipality," the report stated.

Yarra has nine gaming venues, which share 308 pokie machines. Spending increased marginally in 2010–11, at $31.8 million, compared to $31.5 million in 2009–10, the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation reports.

Anti-pokies campaigner Paul Bendat applauded the council for its efforts. However, he said the policy did not go far enough in addressing children's exposure to gaming in venues and family members with addictions.

"At least the council should advocate removing the sights and sounds of pokie gambling from areas where children are allowed and forbid unaccompanied children. There are paragraphs about advocacy but they are so general [as] to be ineffective," Mr Bendat said.