How much is spent on taxes and fees from slot machines

Total tax revenue

In 2022-23, states collected more than A $9 billion in taxes from gambling, of which A $5. 3 billion - exclusively from pokies.

In South Australia, of the gambling losses, A $956 million in 2023-24, A $555 million were royalties to clubs and pubs, which illustrates the importance of the share of taxes in the budget.

How pokies are taxed

New South Wales (NSW)

Budget 2025-26 includes A $2. 61 billion taxes from poker machines - one of the largest "dirty" sources of state income.

Ahead in forecasts - tax income from pokies in the amount of up to A $3 billion by 2028-29.

Victoria (VIC)

• Machines in pubs are taxed at a rate of 8. 33% to 62. 53% depending on the level of loss.
• Casinos pay 31. 57 %–51. 57 % от gross gaming revenue + 1 % Community Benefit Levy.
• The public sector receives significant income from pokies: for example, from A $3,145 million in losses in pubs/clubs, about A $1,312 million in taxes were collected.
• According to the forecast, receipts from pokies will be on the order of A $5. 9 billion in four years.

Other states

In Victoria and other regions, taxes on pokies are filled in the budget structure: the tax is significant - about 7. 8% of all state revenues.

Why it matters

Slot machines are one of the most stable and predictable sources of income for local budgets. Increasing tax rates, as in the VIC and NSW, and introducing a "point-of-consumption tax" for online platforms create additional revenue.

Conclusion

Australian states collect tens of billions of AUD in slot machine taxes and fees.

A$5. 3 billion - from pokies in 2022-23; total gambling revenue - more than A $9 billion.

IN NSW, A $2. 61 billion already in 2025-26, growing to A $3 billion.

In the VIC, the rate is twice as high - up to 51% of the casino's revenue from gross revenue.

Taxes on pokies are a key budget tool, a sustainable source of income, but accompanied by serious social costs.