Pokies (short for poker machines or slot machines) are deeply ingrained in Australian culture and have played a significant role in the country’s gambling industry since their introduction in the 1950s. Here’s an in-depth look at pokies in Australia:
History of Pokies in Australia
Current Landscape of Pokies
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Popularity
- Pokies are extremely popular in Australia, with over 200,000 machines across the country, making Australia one of the highest per-capita users of slot machines in the world.
- New South Wales leads in the number of poker machines, with more than half of the country’s total machines located in that state. Victoria and Queensland also have significant numbers.
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Revenue and Impact
- Pokies generate substantial revenue for state governments through taxation, as well as for clubs and pubs. Some of these funds are directed toward community development and public services.
- The industry generates billions in revenue annually. For instance, in 2018-2019, Australians lost an estimated $14 billion on poker machines.
Types of Pokies
- Club and Pub Pokies: These are common in social and recreational settings, where they form a central part of the club's revenue structure.
- Casino Pokies: Found in large casinos across cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. These machines are typically more elaborate, with higher betting limits and more variety.
- Online Pokies: While online poker and other forms of online gambling are regulated strictly in Australia, players still have access to offshore casinos offering virtual pokies.
Gambling Regulation
- State Control
- Gambling, including pokies, is regulated at the state and territory level, resulting in varying laws, machine limits, and tax structures. States like NSW and Queensland have a more liberal approach, while others like Western Australia restrict pokies mainly to casinos.
- Each state regulates where and how poker machines can be installed, along with limits on bets, payouts, and hours of operation.
- Harm Minimization Policies
- Australia has seen increasing pressure to implement measures to minimize problem gambling, including setting loss limits, self-exclusion programs, and providing information on responsible gambling.
- States have adopted policies like pre-commitment systems (where players set a limit on how much they’re willing to spend) and reduced maximum bets to help curb excessive gambling.
- Some advocate for stricter regulation, as pokies are considered one of the most addictive forms of gambling due to their rapid pace and repetitive nature.
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