Poker machine revenue drops
By Simon Pollard
August 15 2003
Shepparton News
Poker machine revenue in the Goulburn Valley has plummeted more than $6 million in the past 12 months.
New Victorian Government figures show the Goulburn Valley has walked away from the pokies at a greater rate than the state average, with the $6 million loss representing a 10 per cent drop in takings.
The Goulburn Valley's 22 pokie venues took $54.23 million in 2002-03, down from $60.57 million in 2001-02 - the first drop in revenue since pokies were introduced to Victoria in the early 1990s.
Greater Shepparton alone lost about $2.5 million from its pokie revenue, recording a $25.09 million income in 2002-03.
The average pokie expenditure per adult for 2002-03 was $598 at Greater Shepparton's seven pokie venues.
The Victorian Government has attributed the revenue reduction to "gaming reforms which promote responsible gaming".
But Australian Hotels' Association Goulburn Valley representative Ray Sharawara said the downturn was entirely because of anti-smoking laws introduced in September last year.
Mr Sharawara, who runs Shepparton's Goulburn Valley Hotel, dismissed claims the region's drought had contributed to the above-average downturn.
"It's the smoke ban and only the smoke ban. Revenue dropped immediately from that day on," Mr Sharawara said.
"I don't think anyone - including the government - anticipated how much it would impact on us.
"All the venue operators are complaining about it and it is affecting the bottom line.
"I know in my own business, we haven't sacked staff but we've cut them back. Where we'd have had three on, now we'd have two - there's not one operator I've spoken to that hasn't done the same."
Gaming Minister John Pandazopoulos said the government was pleased Victoria's gaming reforms were "considered to be the toughest in Australia".
City of Greater Shepparton, $25.09 million
Campaspe Shire, $6.98 million
Benalla Rural City and Mansfield Shire, $6.69 million
Mitchell Shire, $11.77 million
Moira, Strathbogie and Murrindindi shires, $3.66 million.
http://news.mcmedia.com.au/story.asp?TakeNo=200308152427116
By Simon Pollard
August 15 2003
Shepparton News
Poker machine revenue in the Goulburn Valley has plummeted more than $6 million in the past 12 months.
New Victorian Government figures show the Goulburn Valley has walked away from the pokies at a greater rate than the state average, with the $6 million loss representing a 10 per cent drop in takings.
The Goulburn Valley's 22 pokie venues took $54.23 million in 2002-03, down from $60.57 million in 2001-02 - the first drop in revenue since pokies were introduced to Victoria in the early 1990s.
Greater Shepparton alone lost about $2.5 million from its pokie revenue, recording a $25.09 million income in 2002-03.
The average pokie expenditure per adult for 2002-03 was $598 at Greater Shepparton's seven pokie venues.
The Victorian Government has attributed the revenue reduction to "gaming reforms which promote responsible gaming".
But Australian Hotels' Association Goulburn Valley representative Ray Sharawara said the downturn was entirely because of anti-smoking laws introduced in September last year.
Mr Sharawara, who runs Shepparton's Goulburn Valley Hotel, dismissed claims the region's drought had contributed to the above-average downturn.
"It's the smoke ban and only the smoke ban. Revenue dropped immediately from that day on," Mr Sharawara said.
"I don't think anyone - including the government - anticipated how much it would impact on us.
"All the venue operators are complaining about it and it is affecting the bottom line.
"I know in my own business, we haven't sacked staff but we've cut them back. Where we'd have had three on, now we'd have two - there's not one operator I've spoken to that hasn't done the same."
Gaming Minister John Pandazopoulos said the government was pleased Victoria's gaming reforms were "considered to be the toughest in Australia".
City of Greater Shepparton, $25.09 million
Campaspe Shire, $6.98 million
Benalla Rural City and Mansfield Shire, $6.69 million
Mitchell Shire, $11.77 million
Moira, Strathbogie and Murrindindi shires, $3.66 million.
http://news.mcmedia.com.au/story.asp?TakeNo=200308152427116
