Media Release 14 October 2009

Pokie spend up in third quarter

Gaming machine expenditure in the country’s 1500 pubs and clubs in the third quarter of this year was slightly up on the June quarter but 5.4 per cent down on 12 months ago, according to figures released by the Department of Internal Affairs. Spending rose from $217.3m at 30 June 2009 to $220.7m at 30 September 2009 but was 5 per cent down on the $232.3m for the third quarter of 2008. .

There were fewer licence holders, gambling venues and gaming machines at the end of September 2009 compared with 12 months earlier. Licence holders fell 6.9 per cent from 405 to 377, venues dropped 4.2 per cent from 1551 to 1486 and gaming machines were down 3.6 per cent from 20,025 to 19,296.

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 2009
Society Type Total GMP Quarter % of Total
Non-Club $190,508,832.61 86.3%
Sports Clubs $ 4,618,126.86 2.1%
Chartered Clubs $ 17,118,204.64 7.8%
RSAs $ 8,473,587.82 3.8%
Total Club $ 30,209,919.32 13.7%
Total All $220,718,751.93 100.0%

Non-casino GM spending in quarter ended
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 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
31 March 2007 444 1607 20,302
ends

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