Gambling Facts
Local gambling losses equal $121 million last yearIn 2017-18, $121 million was lost to pokies in the 15 gaming venues in Greater Dandenong - equivalent to $968 per adult, and the highest rate of pokie losses in Victoria. Since the introduction of pokies in Victoria in 1992-93, over $3.3 billion (2018 dollars) has been lost in Greater Dandenong alone - the equivalent of more than $60,000 per household. The highest gambling losses are generally experienced by the least affluent communities. In 2017-18 for instance, losses to pokies in Boroondara - the wealthiest locality in Victoria - stood at $141 per adult. By contrast, average losses incurred by residents of Greater Dandenong - the least affluent locality in metropolitan Melbourne – were six times higher, at $968 per adult. Thus the residents of a community with one of the highest levels of gaming losses are also among the least able to bear such financial losses. In addition to pokie losses, an estimated $150 million is lost by Greater Dandenong residents each year to other legal forms of gambling, bringing total annual losses to approximately $270 million – equivalent to $2,160 per adult. Total annual gambling losses represent approximately 7% of all incomes in Greater Dandenong. In Boroondara, losses are equal to just 0.7% of total income.
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For statistics about gambling losses and pokie numbers, in each Victorian municipality download the Gambling Venues Machines and Losses (PDF - 715KB).
Distribution and growth of losses to pokies and the nature of gambling-related problems, download the Gambling Related Issues document (PDF - 3.25MB).
The following sites contain useful information and research about gambling:
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
Oversees all legal gambling within Victoria (including pokies) and reports gambling trends to the government and community.
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation
Provides extensive information about sources of advice and support for people experiencing gambling-related problems, as well as data and other information about the gambling industry.