South Aussies flock to pokies after COVID-19 restrictions lifted

Industry and welfare groups are divided over the impact of South Aussies returning to pokies venues in droves as soon as restrictions lifted.

South Australian’s spend on pokies hit a 13 year high the month after coronavirus restrictions were lifted, new figures show.

New gaming machine revenue for July reached $73.21 million - the highest monthly spending since August 2007.

The spending for the first four months of this financial year has raised concerns about the impact of pokie machine used by vulnerable South Australians.

However, the figures have been downplayed by the hospitality sector that has stressed the spending was a consequence of South Australians being unable to access venues for three months to do something that they enjoy.

New figures from the industry and the government agency Consumer and Business Services show that in the first four months of this financial year, South Australians embraced the reopening of pokies venues after they had been closed for three months in response to coronavirus.

The average monthly spend was $68.81m - starting with $73.21m in July and gradually tapering to $65.46m in October.

Poker machines at the Adelaide Casino are not included in the statistics.

SA Council of Social Services chief executive Ross Womersley told the Sunday Mail the figures are concerning.

“From our perspective it’s much worse than going back to normal, it has gone boonta,” Mr Womersley said.

“The withdrawal from poker machines for many people with real gambling issues was a God send because for the first time in ages they were in positions where they were not spending that money and they were able to have it available to pay for their life requirements.

“We do know that there was some drift to other gambling activities (but) the real concern for us is if people are putting even more back in that has to be a reflection of a real increase in potential harm.”

Australian Hotels Association state chief Ian Horne said the spending was a reflection of venues opening back up.

“People who like playing pokies did not play them for three months so there’s a little bit of pent-up demand,” Mr Horne said.

“But it is hard to see how it is sustainable because as other things are opening up all the time it will be on the wane.

Mr Horne said the heavily taxed sector, where almost 40 per cent of revenue is handed to the State Government, has been on a downward trajectory since 2006/2007 when revenue peaked at $792 million - compared to the financial

“Taking into account inflation and CPI we are millions of millions of dollars down on where we were previously and that is never coming back.

“This year we have been down $170 million in the financial year because of Covid.

“There is pent-up demand but as with many other industries people could not go interstate for a trip they could not go overseas people and so people were desperate to spend - whether that be in retail or gaming or TAB or online.”

Last week the Sunday Mail revealed South Australians gambled a record $552 million on lotto tickets over the past financial year - up from $539 million in 2018/19.

In May data from Google Trends showed searches for “online casinos Australia” and “online poker” had quadrupled since the pandemic was declared.

The biggest spike was recorded on March 22, the same day that thousands of clubs and gaming facilities were forced to close their doors in response to the Federal Government’s stage one lockdown.

Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said any South Australian who needs help with gambling addiction is urged to call the 24/7, free and confidential gambling helpline, where they will be able to speak with trained counsellors.

“This year’s State Budget committed $750,000 over two years to the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund, which funds programs services for problem gamblers to offset a reduction in funding from the industry while gaming venues were closed due to COVID-19 health related restrictions.”

The State Government runs 28 gambling help services across the state offering free, confidential therapy, counselling, assistance and support for those affected by gambling, including family and friends.

Gambling help services include:

24/7 Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858

Gambling Help Online website: www.gamblinghelponline.org.au