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Gaming machine data shows continuing decline in spending

Data released from the state's gambling regulator shows record drops in spending on gaming machines

Data released from the state's gambling regulator shows record drops in spending on gaming machines and declines in the number of gaming venues and gaming machines operating across the state, Gaming Minister Tony Robinson said.

Mr Robinson said the latest figures from the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR) showed that spending on electronic gaming machines declined over the last financial year by 4.1 per cent to $2.597 billion, compared to 3.67 per cent growth in the previous year.

"This drop represents the largest decline since 2002-03 when smoking bans came into force," he said.

"In real terms, gaming expenditure is lower now than it was in 2000. From 1999-00 to 2009-10, real gaming expenditure has declined by 10.96 per cent."

In addition, the VCGR data shows:

• Spending per adult on gaming machines dropped 5.8 per cent to $611. This is a drop of more than 12 per cent from the peak of $696 per adult in 2001-02;

• The number of gaming venues continues to decline - there are now only 514 gaming venues in Victoria, the lowest number since the mid-90s;

• The number of gaming machines operating in Victoria has dropped to 26, 682; and

• The ratio of machines per 1000 adults has hit a decade low of 6.28, compared with 6.42 per 1000 adults just last year.

Mr Robinson said the Government was taking the right action to develop a responsible and accountable gaming industry in Victoria.

"The Brumby Labor Government is continuing to reform Victoria's gaming industry to minimise community harm," he said.

"It was Labor who introduced reforms including limiting the total number of gaming machines to 30,000 and introduced municipal limits and regional caps to control machine density in our communities.

"On the other hand, the Opposition's record shows gaming machine expenditure increasing at an average of 16.2 per cent during the last three years of their Government in the 1990s.

"We also spend more than any other Australian state on targeted support services, educational programs and campaigns to assist Victorians in need through our $132.3 million Taking Action on Problem Gambling strategy.

"However, despite tripling the number of machines in Victoria from 10,000 to 30,000, the Opposition spent a paltry $25 million over their entire term on services and support for problem gamblers and their families.

Mr Robinson said the incidence of problem gambling had declined from 2.1 per cent of the Victorian adult population in 1999 to 0.7 per cent today.

"The Brumby Government has a clear vision for a more responsible industry and had a strong record of tough regulation and investment in support services to address problem gambling," he said.

"We are taking the national lead on responsible gambling by legislating to ban ATMs from venues and introduce state-of-the-art pre-commitment technology on all gaming machines across Victoria so players can preset limits and take control of their own gambling."

"Since becoming Leader of the Opposition, Ted Baillieu has not produced a single policy committing the Opposition to maintaining a limit on total machine numbers, on machine density in our communities or to any initiative that will help foster a more accountable gaming industry or fund vital assistance services for Victorians in need."