Pokies swallow $20 million

ALMOST $20 million has been slotted into poker machines in the City of Greater Bendigo so far this financial year.Figures from the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation show that $19,751,456.22 was spent on poker machines in the five months from July to November.There was $44,251,021.60 spent on poker machines in the 2009-10 financial year, more than $2 million less than the 2008-09 financial year but higher than the previous financial years.The figures mean that Bendigo’s adult population of 79,118 spent, on average, $559 each on poker machines in the 2009-10 financial year, less than the state average of $611 per adult.There are a total of 547 poker machines in six clubs and four hotels in Bendigo.In 2008-09, a total of $46,534,528.67 was spent on poker machines.The commission’s statistics show that $4,035,897.63 was spent in July, $4,058,424.84 in August, $3,924,446.53 in September, $4,026,444.81 in October and $3,706,242.91 in November.The monthly figures show a trend of less money being spent on poker machines compared to the same time the previous year, particularly in September.Ballarat has a significantly higher expenditure on poker machines, recording $54,830,372.33.Surrounding shires of Campaspe recorded $7,749,389.38 from 149 machines, Macedon $8,888,453.63 from 95 machines, Mt Alexander $3,331,362.89 from 30 machines.The Loddon Shire does not have any poker machines.