The results of a survey of gambling services businesses have been published this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). It shows that the major source of net takings from gambling during 2004-05 was from the poker/gaming machines in clubs, pubs, taverns and bars. It also shows that New South Wales and Victoria between them account for 68.4% of the net takings.

The poker/gaming machines, commonly known as pokies, accounted for A$8.7 billion (US$6.5 billion) of net takings, 56.3% of total gaming revenue. They also accounted for 59.5% of the 76,848 people employed in the gaming industry. For the year 2004-05 gambling revenue in Australia was A$15.5 billion (US$11.6 billion). Casino generated revenue was A$3.3 billion (US$2.5 billion), of which only A$0.4 billion (US$0.3 billion) came from accommodation and meals.

Online gambling reportedly had gross turnover of A$1.4 billion (US$1 billion) with net takings of A$114.3 million (US$85.9 million). Gross gaming revenue for lottery services was A$1.9 billion (US$1.4 billion). The remaining A$5.4 billion (US$4 billion) came from the provision of other gambling services such as bookmaking, totalisator and agencies.

In Victoria the State Government is campaigning to address problem gambling, largely blamed on the proliferation of pokies. It expects gaming machine taxes to reach over A$1 billion (US$751 million) in 2006-07, and total gambling taxes to contribute 9% of government tax income. There are around 30,000 gaming machines in the state and the government is spending A$21 million on problem gambling strategies. (E-09.22.06)

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