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Australian Poker Machine Revenues Up3 December 2002AUSTRALIA – As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald: "Hotels and clubs made about $4.3 billion (US$2.4 billion) profit from poker machines last financial year, a 4.4 per cent increase on the previous year. "Despite Government reforms, the number of poker machines in the state has reached a record 101,458, representing one machine for every 66 people in NSW. But machine numbers remain substantially below the cap. "The State Government collected $720 million (US$402 million)from poker-machine taxes and the Department of Gaming and Racing issued more than 800 fines to pubs and clubs last financial year. "…But hoteliers are the largest winners, increasing their profits from gaming machines by 7 per cent to an average of $731,000 (US$408,000)in the 12 months to March. "…The head of the NSW Council on Problem Gambling, the Rev Chester Carter, said it was time for hoteliers to put some of their profits back into the community to help problem gamblers and fund counselling services…" |