Queensland sees drop in poker machine revenue

Queensland has seen a surprise drop in the revenue it receives from poker machines.  This may be the first time ever that this has happened.  This amounts to an amazing $30 million drop in gaming machine revenue.

However, total money raised from gambling taxes has risen from $922 million last financial year to about $933 million this year.  So it is obvious that certain people are spending their money on other sorts of gambling, mainly sports betting.

Whilst many people are saying that the drop in gaming machine revenue reflects the pressure people are under regarding the rising cost of living, this does not account for the overall rise in gambling revenue.

It may be, of course, that the poker machine industry is diferent  from the gambling industry in general.  The sort of person who uses pokie machines is the ordinary man or woman who likes to visit their local bar or club for a drink, and then spends a little of their time there using the machines.

If these people are feeling the pinch financially they are unlikely to give up going out for a sociable drink, but may spend little or no time using the machines, as a way of economising.

Detractors of the pokie machine may see the drop in revenue as a good thing.  After all Australia has 0.3% of the world’s population, but 20% of the world’s poker machines.

The question that arises frequently as to how much potential tax revenue is actually being lost, by not legalising online poker sites, will no doubt continue to cause governments a dilemma.  If these sites were legalised, so that they could operate within Australian shores, and therefore be taxable, more much needed tax revenue could be raised.  This is money that could be used to alleviate some of the financial strain being felt by Australians.