Regional budgets and their dependence on spending on machines
South Australia (SA)
For the 2024-25 fiscal year, pokie player losses exceeded A $1 billion; A $453 million of this amount went to the state budget, and the establishments received A $555 million ([turn0search0] (turn0search0))
The share of pokies tax is a significant part of SA's income, especially for regions such as Mount Gambier (A $24 million in losses) and Whyalla (A $20.7 million). ([turn0search0](turn0search0))
When Greens and SACOSS tried to limit or phased-out pokies, the government emphasized the region's financial dependence on this income: the industry provides jobs (~ 30,000 people) and income of hundreds of millions. ([turn0search10](turn0search10))
New South Wales (NSW)
Budget 2025-26 includes A $2. 61 billion taxes from pokies, expected to rise to A $3 billion by 2028-29. ([turn0search1](turn0search1), [turn0search3](turn0search3))
Slot machines are the largest source of revenue from "dirty taxes," significantly exceeding revenue from other forms of gambling. ([turn0search3](turn0search3))
The tax rate is more than 66% of all gambling revenue in the state for 2023-24, and some areas (Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland) generate A $1. 9bn in profit, 22% of all NSW pokies. ([turn0search16](turn0search16))
Victoria (VIC)
In this year's budget, almost A $3 billion is expected from pokies revenues. ([turn0search15](turn0search15))
Despite strict norms (cache limit A $100, slow speed), income remains stable. ([turn0search15](turn0search15))
Willing to regulate cuts per-capita costs, but the budget remains dependent on household rates. ([turn0search15](turn0search15))
Summary by region
Conclusion
Slot machines are a critical revenue source for Australia's regional budgets. SA gets hundreds of millions, VIC gets about a billion and NSW gets billions of AUD from pokie tax. Addiction is great: proposals to limit pokies raise concerns about budget unfitness and social costs. These figures emphasize the breadth of the impact of gambling on public finances and the decision on regulation, the balance between income and social harm.
For the 2024-25 fiscal year, pokie player losses exceeded A $1 billion; A $453 million of this amount went to the state budget, and the establishments received A $555 million ([turn0search0] (turn0search0))
The share of pokies tax is a significant part of SA's income, especially for regions such as Mount Gambier (A $24 million in losses) and Whyalla (A $20.7 million). ([turn0search0](turn0search0))
When Greens and SACOSS tried to limit or phased-out pokies, the government emphasized the region's financial dependence on this income: the industry provides jobs (~ 30,000 people) and income of hundreds of millions. ([turn0search10](turn0search10))
New South Wales (NSW)
Budget 2025-26 includes A $2. 61 billion taxes from pokies, expected to rise to A $3 billion by 2028-29. ([turn0search1](turn0search1), [turn0search3](turn0search3))
Slot machines are the largest source of revenue from "dirty taxes," significantly exceeding revenue from other forms of gambling. ([turn0search3](turn0search3))
The tax rate is more than 66% of all gambling revenue in the state for 2023-24, and some areas (Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland) generate A $1. 9bn in profit, 22% of all NSW pokies. ([turn0search16](turn0search16))
Victoria (VIC)
In this year's budget, almost A $3 billion is expected from pokies revenues. ([turn0search15](turn0search15))
Despite strict norms (cache limit A $100, slow speed), income remains stable. ([turn0search15](turn0search15))
Willing to regulate cuts per-capita costs, but the budget remains dependent on household rates. ([turn0search15](turn0search15))
Summary by region
| Region | pokies tax revenue | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| SA | A $453 million | A substantial portion of the regional budget |
| NSW | A$2. 61 billion (2025-26) | The main source of "dirty" income |
| VIC | ~ A $3 billion expected | Even with increased regulation - significant receipts |
Conclusion
Slot machines are a critical revenue source for Australia's regional budgets. SA gets hundreds of millions, VIC gets about a billion and NSW gets billions of AUD from pokie tax. Addiction is great: proposals to limit pokies raise concerns about budget unfitness and social costs. These figures emphasize the breadth of the impact of gambling on public finances and the decision on regulation, the balance between income and social harm.
