Australian punters lose $23 billion, half on poker machines

[The Buzz]

New Australian Gambling Statistics figures show Australians lost $1,241 per head in 2014-15, with poker machines still the biggest cause of punter losses with $11.6 billion lost, an increase of 4.9%. Even though sports betting grew by 30%, it is still one of the smallest segments of the market, worth $814 million, compared to "pokies," racing ($2.8 billion), and Lotto ($1.7 billion).

"It demonstrates why we need to better regulate promotion and advertising. Otherwise we're facing big growth in gambling problems and harm from young men and women," said Monash University Public Health expert Charles Livingstone. "But the 600-pound gorilla of Australian gambling is still the pokies: $12 billion in losses per year, and still growing, year after year. If we're worried by sports betting, we should be 13 times more worried about the pokies."

Here's a link to the entire article: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/au...22-gqyiz5.html

[TheGooner]

Appreciate the news service and summary Buzzy - thanks.

Even though sports betting grew by 30%, it is still one of the smallest segments of the market, worth $814 million, compared to "pokies," racing ($2.8 billion), and Lotto ($1.7 billion).

I think that a lot of Aussies are sports betting online / offshore and not being counted.

Although I do know that the "pokies" (aka slot machines in clubs and pubs) are always in action with someone sitting there forlornly shoving in coins and staring at the lights. I've never seen a happy player at the pokies.

This form does seem to attract low socio-economic punters - the "bag lady" stereotype comes to mind - and has higher spend / possible addiction rates - many players seem to do $20, $40 or $50 at the pokies every time that they going into the pub.

[oddsframe]

Thanks for the info Buzz

Find it so strange that sports & racing seem to be targeted by anti-gambling groups so often, whether it be online or on the news. But clearly from this Lotto and Pokies are the main drain on a normal Aussies purse.

At least Sports/Racing can be entertaining and involve a bit of skill. Pokies and Lotto are just mind numbing, randomly generated, money draining activities.

Lets see if anything happens in parliament with these numbers on the rise every year.