8684.0 - Gambling Services, Australia, 2004-05  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 20/09/2006   
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MEDIA RELEASE
September 20, 2006
Embargoed 11.30am (AEST)
85/2006
Gambling in Australia tips $15.5 billion: ABS

Total net takings from gambling during 2004-05 was $15.5 billion, according to results released today from an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey of gambling services businesses.

The major source of net takings was from poker/gaming machines in clubs, pubs, taverns and bars reaching $8.7 billion or 56.3% of total net takings from gambling
.

Other major sources of net takings included off-course TAB takings of $2.1 billion, casino gambling of $2.6 billion and lotteries, lotto style games and football pools of $1.4 billion.

Net takings from gambling for businesses operating in New South Wales ($6.2 billion) and Victoria ($4.4 billion) represented 68.4% of the total net takings from gambling.

Casinos generated $3.3 billion in income during 2004-05. Net takings from gambling ($2.6 billion) was the most significant source of income for casinos, representing 77.1% of total income. Takings from meals and accommodation generated $0.4 billion or 12.4% of total income.


The Gambling Services Survey also found that during 2004-05:
  • There were 76,848 people employed in the provision of gambling services in Australia. The majority (45,737 people or 59.5%) were employed in hospitality clubs and pubs, taverns and bars.
  • Net takings from online gambling were $114.3 million from a gross turnover of $1.4 billion.
  • Total income (net of payouts to players) of businesses involved in the provision of lottery services was $1.9 billion.
  • Total income (net of payouts to players) of businesses involved in the provision of other gambling services such as bookmaking services and totalisator services (e.g. TAB) and agencies was $5.4 billion.

Further details are in Gambling Services, Australia, 2004-05 (cat. no. 8684.0) available free of charge from the ABS web site <www.abs.gov.au>.