Pokie spend up in third quarter

Gaming machine expenditure in the country’s 1400 pubs and clubs in the quarter ended 30 September of this year was 2.6 per cent up on the June quarter but 2.5 per cent down on 12 months ago, according to figures released by the Department of Internal Affairs. Spending rose from $209.8 million at 30 June 2010 to $215.2 million at 30 September 2010 but was $5.5 million less than the $220.7 million for the third quarter of 2009.

There were fewer licence holders, gambling venues and gaming machines at the end of September 2010 compared with 12 months earlier. Licence holders fell 2 per cent from 377 to 369, venues declined from 1486 to 1438 and gaming machines decreased by almost 4 per cent from 19,296 to 18,601.

The spending is captured through the electronic monitoring of non-casino gaming machines (EMS), which became fully operational in March 2007, enabling the Department to track and monitor operations, ensure the integrity of games and the accurate accounting of money.

Non-casino GM spending by Society Type – July to September 2010
Society Type Total GMP Quarter % of Total
Non-Club 185,671,705.23 86.3%
Sports Clubs 4,324,907.77 2.0%
Chartered Clubs 16,892,318.84 7.9%
RSAs 8,280,173.68 3.8%
Total Club 29,497,400.29 13.7%
Total All 215,169,105.52 100.0%


Non-casino GM spending in quarter ended
30 September 2010 $215.2 m
30 June 2010 $209.8 m
31 March 2010 $199.9 m
31 December 2009 $218.8 m
30 September 2009 $220.7 m
30 June 2009 $217.3 m
31 March 2009 $208.7 m
31 December 2008 $230.7 m
30 September 2008 $232.3 m
30 June 2008 $231 m
31 March 2008 $218.5 m
31 December 2007 $245.3 m
30 September 2007 $243.5 m
30 June 2007 $237.7 m

Licensed gambling operations in pubs and clubs

Date Licence holders Venues Gaming machines
30 Sept 2010 369 1438 18,601
30 June 2010 370 1455 18,944
31 March 2010 374 1470 19,115
31 Dec 2009 378 1491 19,359
30 Sept 2009 377 1486 19,296
30 June 2009 384 1501 19,479
31 March 2009 394 1527 19,739
31 Dec 2008 399 1537 19,879
30 Sept 2008 405 1551 20,025
30 June 2008 415 1552 19,856
31 March 2008 421 1569 20,018
31 Dec 2007 428 1585 20,182
30 Sept 2007 435 1593 20,163
30 June 2007 439 1598 20,120