Across the country, poker machine revenue continues to climb. It is only in South Australia where clubs are seeing a decline in pokies spending. According to a new report in the Sydney Morning Herald, players in South Australia are spending less and less money on electronic gaming machines. The report notes that the 13 000 poker machines in South Australia are seeing fewer players.
In the state, poker machine revenue dropped by .5$ over the course of the past year – from $61 million to $60.7 million. As such, the government is taking in fewer gambling taxes, which means less money is going to public programs. Gaming industry experts believe that the major reason for the decline in poker machine spending is due to restrictions on betting. South Australia is the only state that prohibits players from using notes.
Players can only use tokens of $1 coins. Casino operators in the country are not pleased with the ban on notes. They stated that it is an outdated rule that forces players to carry heavy loads of coins around with them on the gaming floor. "It's just antiquated technology," says Nigel Morrison, Chief Executive at SkyCity. "Why should customers have to gamble with coins?
When we are trying to promote an international standard casino and players walk in to the main floor they look around and think this is a B-grade or even C-grade property." Pokie betting limits are changing all over the country. In Queensland, the state government recently allowed players to use $50 and $100 notes on pokies – a significant increase from the previous $20 bill limit.
Still, South Australia is going on the opposite direction. Players can bet up to $10 per spin (using tokens), but the limit will be halved in 2017. As such, it looks like SA pokie revenue will continue to decline until limits are increased.
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