This is the third consecutive year that the pokies have raked in more than $1.8 billion from the northeastern state, with the region hitting an all time high of $1.83 billion in 2008. Though the figures are strong, and fails to account for revenue generated by online poker and sports betting, industry analysts are becoming wary, as the number represents a $7 million drop off from 2009 and a $28 million drop from 2008.
Yet while some gaming authorities are shitting bricks, Derek Tuffield of Queensland’s Gambling Help Network claims that the reduction actually represents growth in the online gambling sector.
“If the poker machine figures are down slightly, that’s probably due to more money being directed towards online gambling,” Tuffield told the news source. “Gambling has never been more accessible.”
