Pokie takings down
Gaming machine expenditure in the country’s 1367 pubs and clubs in the first three months of 2013 dropped 10 per cent on the takings for the last three months of 2012.
Figures released by the Department of Internal Affairs show that spending dropped from $214.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 to $192.7 million in the first quarter of 2013. And for the 12 months ended March 2013 expenditure was down four per cent from $865.4 million to $828.7 million.
Nationwide there were fewer licence holders, gambling venues and gaming machines at the end of March compared with 12 months earlier. Licence holders fell from 359 to 353, venues declined from 1403 to 1367 and the number of gaming machines decreased from 18,001 to 17,542.
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.
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