Australian Pokies Bring in Large Revenue in 2008

SYDNEY - As reported by The Australian: "Money drain ... there calls for access to pokies to be slashed in lower socio-economic areas
THE state's greediest pubs are raking in a staggering $1.1
Australian Pokie Machines  billion from poker machines each year, with each machine in Western Sydney taking almost four times the annual average wage.

The revelations have prompted calls for access to pokies to be slashed and a reduction in the number of machines in lower socio-economic areas.

Documents reveal the $1.1 billion was collected by the top 500 hotels - more than two-thirds of the total pub poker machine revenue statewide, equating to a $200 loss by every adult, The Daily Telegraph reports.

The Australian Hotel Association defended the amount saying clubs had three times the number of machines of hotels.

The top 25 gaming pubs alone raked in just under $150 million in revenue, with all but two in Sydney's west or southwest.

The pubs took an average of $6 million each from the cap of 30 machines in the 12 months to September 2008 - $200,000 per machine.

The amount is almost four times the average yearly wage and more than three times the average pub poker machine yield of $64,000.

Gambling experts are now demanding the Government regulate the gaming hot spots in the same way they cracked down on problem drinking venues.

With the economic crisis set to get worse, it is predicted more and more people will try to gamble their way out of poverty and debt..."