How much gaming clubs collect from each machine
General figures and context
In South Australia (SA), in the financial year 2024-25, the loss of players on slot machines exceeded A $1 billion, of which A $555 million was received by clubs and pubs, and A $453 million went to the state treasury.
In New South Wales (NSW), about 90,000 machines brought A $8 to operators. 2 billion profit in 2022-23.
Assessment of income from a separate machine
In SA, the average annual income per device (in clubs) is approximately A $47,000:- A $555 million ÷ ~ 11,600 cars = ≈A$47 800.
- A$8. 2 billion ÷ ~ 87,000 cars = ≈A$94 000 per year from one machine.
What it means for venues
Clubs and pubs receive significant income from each machine, often exceeding A $50 thousand per year.
For many, pokies establishments are the most important source of funding, covering the costs of salaries, products and infrastructure.
Comparison by region
Conclusion
Gaming clubs and pubs in Australia benefit significantly from pokie machines. Revenue from each unit reaches tens of thousands of dollars a year - especially in NSW. This underscores the importance of poker in venue business models and explains why regulation of technology faces institutional resistance.
