More than 200 protesters attended the rally which was organised to reinforce community opposition to poker machines within Moyne Shire boundaries.

Likely gaming operators Warrnambool Football Netball Club and Port Fairy's Victoria Hotel both confirmed last week they would not seek to establish poker machine venues in the town.

However, rally organiser Es Warmuth said another potential pokies operator could look to install machines in the town if the community did not actively oppose gambling in Port Fairy.

She said the rally was organised after a letter she wrote was published in the Moyne Gazette, calling on residents to assemble at the village green in a display of public support for a no-pokies shire.

Independent Wannon candidates James Purcell and Ralph Leutton joined the protestors ahead of The Standard's election forum tonight.

Cr Purcell, in his role as Moyne Shire mayor, accepted the petition on behalf of councillors.

"It's been proven through countless examples that once a tourist town like Port Fairy gains pokie machines, businesses around the town lose out because of the cash directed to gambling," Ms Warmuth said.

"We were delighted by the number of protestors that came out to support the cause. It just shows the level of opposition to pokies in Port Fairy."

Victoria Hotel company spokesman Graeme Rodger said the anti-pokies protest was a storm in a teacup.

He said the Rodger family group, which owns the hotel, was as opposed to pokies in Port Fairy as the protestors.