Mapped: The South Australian pokie hotspots where community members are losing millions

South Aussies lost a whopping $900m to poker machines in just 12 months as gambling in the Hills skyrockets. See the state’s worst pokies hotspots mapped.

Government officials are calling for change after South Australians lost over $900m to poker machines last financial year.

The data, collated by the Government of South Australia Consumer and Business Services, shows South Australians spent a total of $917,529,647.74 on pokies with Adelaide Hills recording a fourfold increase in revenue from $3,582,624.96 to $12,764,129.50.

The area also recorded a drastic rise in poker machines with a total of 78 new machines introduced last financial year.

Rebekha Sharkie, the federal member for Mayo, said the “fourfold increase in pokie revenue is deeply concerning and would not have risen so starkly without additional machines”.

“We need to have a conversation as a country about the acceptance of poker machines in our communities and the impact they have on families,” she said.

“Every dollar lost to pokies is a dollar that could instead be spent in productive areas across our local community or on children’s sport, music and dance.”

Ms Sharkie said it is important to combat the issue so the beauty of the Adelaide Hills isn’t jeopardised.

“Visitors come to the Hills for the ambience, the pristine environment, quality produce and beverages,” she said. “They don’t plan a trip to play the pokies.”

“We have so much to offer in our region and must work to ensure an increase in pokies does not compromise that draw card.”

The Port Adelaide Enfield council recorded the highest increase of $11,053,693.43 when compared with the previous financial year.

A spokesman from the Port Adelaide Enfield council said the area has the highest increase as they are the area with the highest number of licensed venues, but are still committed to addressing gambling-related issues.

“We facilitate gambling support groups through community centres and outreach programs,” he said.

“Residents in need of support are encouraged to attend these local groups, which are offered free of charge.”

In the regions, Mount Gambier recorded the highest net gaming revenue of $22,169,059.23 – an increase of $1,300,579.25 when compared to the previous year.

Louise Murphy, project officer at Lifeline South East’s Gambling Help Service, said people don’t usually realise the impact gambling has on them.

“Sometimes it’s not until people have lost everything that’s important to them that they realise that gambling is causing harm to their life,” she said.

“Community perceptions, gambling advertising and the Australian gambling culture have created an environment where people who experience gambling harm are reluctant to seek help as they may be judged or made fun of by their peers.”

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Josh Teague said he has “serious concerns” about online gambling, but highlighted that the allocation of pokies is regulated.

“The allocation of pokies and licences to run the machines is regulated, but we have serious concerns about the threat of online gambling to younger people with ways access to betting services 27/7.”

Human services minister Nat Cook said the state government is addressing the issue of gambling in “new and innovative ways”.

“A digital awareness campaign, launched last year, aimed to educate people on identifying the signs of gambling harm early and remind them that help is nearby if needed – including free and confidential services like the Gambling Helpline and Gambling Help Online.