West Australians’ love affair with gambling has grown deeper with losses hitting more than $1 billion in a year — or almost $630 each — for the first time, according to a report.
The latest data on Australia’s gambling habits shows WA punters splurged a record $4.5 billion at the casino, racetrack and on Lotto and sports betting in 2006-07, an average of almost $2800 for each adult.
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This wagering spree was 19.5 per cent higher than the previous period and saw gamblers lose $1 billion over the financial year, up from $850 million previously.
About $453 million was blown at the casino, $264 million on Lotto and instant “scratchies” and $259 million on racing.
But the punting paid off for the State Government, which collected almost $326 million in gambling related taxes over the same period, or about $200 per person.
Anglicare financial counsellor Joanna Carrington said yesterday many West Australians saw gambling as a recreation that could be afforded during boom times but it could easily become a problem as the economy soured if people did not adjust their betting habits.
She said the report revealed how important the WA ban on poker machines was in reducing problem gambling.
With the Government prohibition on poker machines, except for the “gaming” units at Burswood Casino, WA’s gambling turnover paled compared with other States where the machines are widespread, such as NSW, where more than $67 billion was spent on gambling.
NSW has almost 100,000 poker machines compared with fewer than 2000 gaming machines at Burswood.
The figures, obtained from the Queensland Treasury, show gaming accounted for most gambling in WA, with $2.1 billion bet at the casino and $500 million spent on lottery tickets while $1.6 billion was fluttered on racing, with most going to the TAB.
Australians gambled a record $153.3 billion in 2006-07, almost $10,000 a head, up $5 billion on the previous year. Collectively, $18.2 billion was lost, $10.6 billion of it on pokies.
The State Government is considering a proposal from Lotterywest to offer online sales of its games but financial counsellors are concerned that any expansion could increase problem gambling.
Racing Minister Terry Waldron said the Government remained opposed to more poker machines. (Credit: The West Australian)
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