Almost $100m lost on pokies on Fraser Coast last year

The mayor has raised concerns over the frightening amount of money lost on the pokies in the region last year, and 2025 is already looking worse.

Punters across the Fraser Coast lost almost $100 million dollars on pokie machines in 2024.

Punters across the Fraser Coast lost almost $100m dollars on pokie machines in 2024, it has been revealed.

Fraser Coast mayor George Seymour said these addictive machines were doing significant harm in the community.

“They serve no useful purpose; they are addictive and are causing harm to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community,” he said.

The total amount lost on pokie machines on the Fraser Coast for 2024 was $96,689,442.05, the highest on record for the region.

Mr Seymour said that was not the amount put in the machines, it was the actual amount lost.

He said there should be greater transparency on the massive losses incurred every month, and protections like there are for other harmful and addictive products.

And it looks like 2025 will be worse, with $8,264,904.52 lost in January alone.

“Australia led the world with plain packaging of cigarettes and we should do the same with pokie machines,” he said.

“Remove all the graphics, sounds and other features that help create the addiction and provide real transparency on the losses incurred.”

Punters across the Fraser Coast lost almost $100 million dollars on pokie machines in 2024.

Fraser Coast Mates president Darren Bosley said there were options for people who needed help in the community.

“There is no doubt that financial pressures can influence mental health for many,” he said.

“Like alcohol, the relationship for gambling is different for everyone in a world where we have to make choices that support our own mental health.

“We support government messaging with ‘responsible gambling’ and for people to understand their relationship with gambling and if this negatively impacts their mental health.

“Your mental health should be the priority.”

It comes as it was revealed Queenslanders lost more money than ever on the pokies in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, with $326m flushed away in just 31 days in September last year.

Gambling harm expert Charles Livingstone said while people might first hit up the machines with a dream of turning $20 into $40, that could quickly change.

“Once you get in an addictive scenario you go to get away from the reality of life,” he said.

“For many people, and in the working-class areas where pokies are concentrated, they are really doing it tough.”

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