The Ballarat City Council says there should be tougher restrictions on pokies machines, following recommendations from a gaming policy panel on planning laws.

An independent panel has made a submission to the Ballarat City Council suggesting that laws and guidance on where machines can be installed are too lax.The panel proposed continuing a ban on poker machines in one mall and making sure that the machines are away from problem gambling support services, health and social services.

The report will be passed on to the Victorian Planning Minister, after it was approved by the Ballarat Council this week. It also says stronger guidelines will be useful when the council fights applications or planning permits for electronic gaming machines in court.

Pokies machines are a hot topic for many, due to their alleged habit of draining the often meagre finances of engrained gambling addicts. The machines do however raise a reported $12 billion in Government revenue each year.

Anyone who believes they or someone they know may have a gambling problem can seek help online.