8683.0 - Casinos, Australia, 1999-2000  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 14/12/2000   
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Casino industry profits up


Australia's casinos experienced a significant rise in profits in 1999-2000, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The 13 casinos operating in Australia during the year recorded an operating profit of $452 million, which represented an operating profit margin of 15.1%. In 1998-1999 the industry's operating profit was $93 million and the profit margin 3.4%.

The total income of casinos was $3,038 million, of which $2,397 million was from gambling income. Takings from gaming tables ($1,438 million) and takings from poker/gaming machines ($938 million) both increased by 8% since 1998-1999. However the composition of gaming table income has changed, with 37% ($538 million) being received from overseas premium and other rated players and 63% ($900 million) being received from local players during 1999-2000.

Since 1998-1999, the gaming table income from overseas premium and other rated players has increased by 47%, in comparison to a decrease of 6% from local players. For 1999-2000, the gaming table income from local players represented $64 per head of the Australian adult population.

There were 10,825 poker/gaming machines in the 13 casinos at the end of June 2000. The $938 million takings from poker/gaming machines during 1999-2000 represented $67 per head of the Australian adult population.

For 1999-2000, casinos paid $479 million in gambling taxes and levies, which was a 6% increase on the previous year and represented 20% of their net gambling income.

The industry continued to be dominated by casinos operated by the four largest enterprise groups (casinos under common ownership and control) accounting for 80% of employment and 87% of total income during 1999-2000. This concentration is particularly pronounced in terms of profits, with the largest four enterprise groups accounting for 94% ($424 million) of the operating profit of the industry. This was a significant turnaround from 1998-1999 when the largest four enterprise groups accounted for 35% of the operating profit.

At the end of June 2000, casinos employed 20,497 persons, of whom 40% were licensed gaming staff. The average wage per employee in casinos during 1999-2000 was $34,900. The gambling income per licensed gaming employee in 1999-2000 was $289,700, which was a 3% increase over the previous year.

Further details can be found in Casinos, Australia, 1999-2000 (cat. no. 8683.0) available from ABS bookshops. This media release and a summary of the publication are available on this site. If you wist to order a copy of this publication please contact the ABS Bookshop in your capital city.