This week, reports have revealed that Victorian pokie spending has significantly dropped in recent years. According to the Herald Sun, spending on pokies has hit a seven-year low. In 2012, pokie players in Victoria spent $2.49 billion on gaming machines. While this sounds like a significant amount of money, it is actually generous decline, as spending has dropped by $184 million from the year before.

According to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, this is lowest spending has been since 2005. Victorian politicians have implemented plenty of responsible gambling provisions which have had a positive impact problem gambling rates. Spending is likely to have dropped thanks to the state’s ban on ATM machines in pokie venues and its ban on the use of headphones while playing pokies.

The Victorian government seems to be head and shoulders above other states, when it comes to controlling problem gambling rates. Local politicians do not seems to be phased by the fact that a drop in pokie spending will take away from their budgets.

"The Government would happily forgo revenue if it meant problem gambling had been eradicated,” says Gaming Regulation Minister Edward O'Donohue's spokesman, James Copsey Another reason that gambling spending has dropped is likely the shifting attitude towards gambling. The federal government has made quite a big deal out of controlling problem gambling, casting pokies in a bad light.

Local residents have become increasingly concerned about the negative effects that pokies have had on the community, and it seems to be reflected in their pokie spending. Victorian politicians are currently considering new reforms that will further reduce gambling spending in the state. These include $1 bet limits, which will limit spending to just $120 per hour.

Across the rest of the state, bet limits range from $5 to $10, so the new limit will certainly have a significant effect on spending.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.