Figures released by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR) show that over the last twelve months the state collected over A$100,000 in gaming tax, the largest amount ever. Federal economic stimulus payments last December and April/May are thought to account for the jump in gambling spend – in Victoria money played on slot machines reached a record A$2.7 billion.

Victoria has 26,772 pokies in hotels and clubs and another 2,500 at Crown Casino. In December, when the first stimulus payment was made, A$250 million went into betting on slots, A$12 million more than any other month. In May the figure was A$232 million. An average A$649 per adult was spent on the state’s machines over the past financial year.

However the figures do not show the whole picture. According to the VCGR, when growth in population and inflation were taken into account, this spending was down almost 21% since 2000 and the A$213 million spent last month is 0.84% less than in June last year. The number of gambling venues and machines dropped, when compared with the previous year, and both were at a 10-year low. (E-07.24.09)

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