NSW punters lose a record $579m on poker machines in one month

Pub and club poker machine profits continue to soar as new data reveals gambling has increased 10 per cent since May 2019 — with the greatest increase in the state’s regional areas. See the list.

Pub and club gaming machine profits are soaring as the pandemic pokie boom continues to deliver unprecedented windfalls for the industry.

The release of the latest profit figures comes as The Star casino moves to boost the number of its gaming machines beyond its 1500 cap.

An industry source said the Pyrmont-based casino had been lobbying the state government to be able to lift the number of electronic gaming devices it can operate on its premises.

Should the casino lodge an application, its success is likely to be influenced by how it tackles problem gambling.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet recently told a stakeholder breakfast he believed problem gambling to be “one of the worst blights on our country”.

Departmental figures for May show NSW punters lost a record $579 million in clubs and hotels — more than 10 per cent, or $57 million lost than in May 2019, before Covid hit.

The greatest increase in losses occurred in the bush, where profits at regional licensed venues rose by almost 20 per cent in the same period.

Punters in NSW have spent a record amount on pokies. Picture: News Regional Media

Across pubs and clubs, the greatest punter pokie losses were felt in Sydney’s West and Southwest.

Canterbury-Bankstown local government area venues recorded a $50 million profit for the month of May, followed by Fairfield with $47 million, Cumberland with $31 million and Blacktown with $26 million.

City of Sydney venues were next on the list with a monthly $25 million profit followed by the Central Coast Council with $24 million.

Venues in Georges River scored $17 million while those in Penrith picked up $16 million, City of Parramatta $16 million and Campbelltown $15 million.

In the bush, the biggest profits were recorded in Tweed with $8 million, Shoalhaven with $7 million, Albury with $6 million, Port Macquarie-Hastings with $5 million, Mid-Coast Council

with $5 million, Murray River with $5 million, Shellharbour with $5 million, Queanbeyan-Palerang with $4 million, Coffs Harbour with $4 million and Port Stephens with $4 million.

Responding to a question by Alliance for Gambling Reform representative Kate da Costa at a NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) breakfast last week, Mr Perrottet said the government was addressing the issue of problem gambling.

Ms da Costa has asked how the government’s planning for increased gaming losses/revenue was compatible with the government’s strategic goal of zero harm from gambling, especially given increased pokie tax revenue came from increased losses “and that must reflect increased harms from gambling from financial stress, family relationship damage, mental and physical ill health and worse”.

Mr Perrottet said he agreed with the premise of the question.

“I think one of the worst blights on our country is problem gambling and the fact that we provide and facilitate an environment where people pour their savings down a pokie machine,” he said.

“It’s something that needs to be addressed and I know that (Customer Service Minister) Victor (Dominello) is working closely in that space.

“To the question, it is an annual reminder of the travesty in this area, and it is something that needs to be — to be brave — it’s something that needs to be addressed and I completely understand and agree with the premise of the question.”

Mr Dominello has been pushing for a cashless gaming card, which he believes will also better tackle problem gamblers.

The Star declined to comment.

Originally published as NSW punters lose a record $579m on poker machines in one month