FLEMINGTON residents have united against a Victoria Racing Club proposal to relocate an 80-machine gaming venue within 500 metres of a housing commission complex.

VRC has lodged an application with the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation to move the poker machines from the Flemington racecourse grandstand to the corner of Epsom and Ascot Vale roads.

But resident groups say the proposal would put gaming machines "in the midst of the most disadvantaged people in the local community - those who live in public housing and the elderly".

The proposed relocation would put 80 poker machines less than a kilometre from an existing 68-machine facility at the Newmarket Tavern and within 500 metres of the Crown Street housing high-rise.

The Flemington Association has started an awareness campaign to inform residents and

will make a submission to the VCGR.

Melbourne Greens MP Adam Bandt has also started a letterbox drop in his electorate to inform residents of the proposal.

Resident Roslyn Nataprawira said the issue was "worth making a stand on".

She said the more people found out about the proposal the more opposition there would be.

"Where [the facility] is at the moment does no harm to anybody, but if it moves I can see that corner becoming sin city.

"There is a greater social issue involved here."

The VRC may also have to gain approval from the National Trust because the proposed site is next to the historic Jockeys Hospital.

Asked about the motivation for the relocation, VRC chief executive Dale Monteith refused to answer the question. He later issued a statement which said: "The Victoria Racing Club has recently submitted an application to the VCGR for the relocation of the Flemington Tabaret and will submit a planning application in due course.

"The club is committed to working with our local community and will engage in an extensive community consultation process at such time."

A hearing date has not been set.