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Gambling is an activity undertaken by many Australians. Over 80% of Australian adults engage in gambling of some kind, which is the highest rate of gambling in the world.^[1] This number includes some 4% of the adult population who play the pokies once a week, accounting for some 62% of locals' annual gambling spend.^[2]

Total employment in the gambling industry in Australia (thousands of people) since 1984

Gambling is a significant public health issue, with around 80,000 to 160,000 (or 0.5 - 1.0%) of Australian adults experiencing significant problems from gambling and a further 250,000 to 350,000 (or 1.4 - 2.1% of adults) experiencing moderate risks that may make them vulnerable to problem gambling.^[3]

Revenue[edit]

In 2015–16, gambling revenue made up 7.7% of state and territory taxation revenue. The rate was lowest in Western Australia (2.5%) and highest in the Northern Territory (12.0%). Gambling revenue made up 2.5% of total state revenue when other revenue sources were taken into account. The rate was lowest in WA (0.9%) and highest in Victoria (3.2%). Gambling revenue as a portion of state taxation revenue has fallen for all states and territories between 2006–07 and 2015–16.^[4]

Total Australian gambling revenue in 2008-09 was just over $19 billion and the share of household consumption was 3.1%^[3]

New South Wales[edit]

New South Wales has a long history of gambling; Australia's first official horse racing meeting occurred in 1810 at Hyde Park in Sydney; the first official Australian lottery occurred in 1881 at the Sydney Cup; and registered clubs operated the first legal poker machines in Australia from 1956.^[5]

Approximately 95,800 of 'pokies' are in NSW, a state total beaten only by Nevada, which operated 181,109 gambling machines in 2014.^[6]

Between 1 December 2017 to 31 May 2018 NSW Clubs made a net profit of $1,945,161,625 and hotels made a net profit of $1,169,040,731 from pokies alone.^[7]

Fairfield[edit]

Fairfield had the highest poker machine revenue in the state for 2013, generating $298 million in clubs and $93 million in pubs, from the start of the year to August.^[8] This figure is $123 million greater than the combined total of profits generated from poker machines in the City of Sydney.^[8]

Hunter Region[edit]

From January to March 2013 poker machines in the Hunter region had a turn over of $4.5 billion, showing an increase of $500 million since 2010.^[9] Daily figures show a spend of $12.5 million, working out to be $8682 per minute.^[9] The Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing found that Newcastle was the Hunter Regions most profitable location with the 3206 poker machines averaging $44,963 each.^[9]The top five most profitable clubs for gaming revenue in the Hunter region in 2010 were:^[10]

1. Western Suburbs Leagues Club (Wests), New Lambton
2. Wests (formerly Club Phoenix), Mayfield
3. Wallsend RSL & Community Club, Wallsend
4. Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club, Belmont
5. Cardiff Panthers, Cardiff

The top five most profitable hotels for gaming revenue in the Hunter region in 2010 were.^[10]

1. The George Tavern, East Maitland
2. Bay Hotel Motel, Bonnells Bay
3. Hotel Jesmond, Jesmond
4. The Lake Macquarie Tavern, Mount Hutton
5. Warners Bay Hotel, Warners Bay

Central Coast Region[edit]

According to the latest figures from Liquor and Gaming NSW there are 4,046 poker machines in 39 clubs on the Central Coast, and 626 poker machines in 29 hotels; making a total of 4,672 poker machines on the Central Coast. That means 2.37% of the total number of poker machines in Australia are on the NSW Central Coast.^[11]

Gosford has approximately 1928 pokies, spread across 37 venues. That is the equivalent of one poker machine for every 71 adults. In 2010–11, venues in Gosford made approximately $95,865,000 in profit from pokies. That equates to $700 for each adult member of Gosford's population.^[12]

Wyong has approximately 2608 pokies, spread across 35 venues. That is the equivalent of one poker machine for every 47 adults. In 2010–11, venues in Wyong made approximately $123,159,000 in profit from pokies. That equates to $1,000 for each adult member of Wyong's population.^[12]

The Central Coast has a higher prevalence of problem gambling than the NSW average. Young men between the ages of 18-24 living on the Central Coast are the biggest players of poker machines in NSW and are the highest risk group for problem gambling.^[13]

In 2008 Central Coast Gambling Help carried out a survey of 200 young people aged from 13-24 and found:

96% of people from 18-24 had gambled for money or possessions
62% of those under 14 years old and 77% of those aged up to 17 had gambled for money or items, including mobile phones and MP3 players
25.5% of 14- to 17-year-olds and 55% of 18- to 24-year-olds had lost more than they had intended
and 6% under 18 had played a poker machine^[14]

Regulatory authorities[edit]

Since the introduction of new gambling services, including online gambling, the Commonwealth has taken a more active role in the regulation of gambling, but the Australian gambling industry is also regulated by State and Territory authorities:^[15]

Australian Capital Territory - ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
New South Wales - New South Wales Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
Northern Territory - Licensing Commission
Queensland - Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation
South Australia - Independent Gambling Authority
Tasmania - Tasmanian Gaming Commission
Victoria - Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
Western Australia - Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor

Key legislation[edit]

Traditionally gambling has been legislated at a state and territory level rather than by the Commonwealth:^[16]

Free Australian Online Casinos

Australian Capital Territory
- Betting (ACTTAB Limited) Act 1964
- Casino Control Act 2006
- Gaming Machine Act 2004
- Interactive Gambling Act 1998
- Lotteries Act 1964
- Pool Betting Act 1964
- Race and Sports Bookmaking Act 2001
- Racing Act 1999
- Unlawful Gambling
New South Wales
- Betting Tax Act 2001
- Casino Control Act 1992
- Charitable Fundraising Act 1991
- Gambling (Two-Up) Act 1998
- Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007
- Gaming Machines Act 2001
- Gaming Machines Tax Act 2001
- Liquor Act 2007
- Lotteries and Art Unions Act 1901

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