By Vanessa Chircop
The latest figures from the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR) show that the amount spent on electronic gaming machines in 2010 dropped by $5.4 million compared to 2009.
Hobsons Bay has 579 electronic gaming machines distributed across 10 licensed gaming venues, with the most popular venue being the Millers Inn Hotel in Altona North.
The venue, which houses 70 pokie machines, raked in a whopping $12.1 million last year.
Altona Sports Club in Seaholme houses 83 gaming machines – the most in the municipality.
Punters spent $4.5 million at this venue, making it the third highest for pokie revenue in Hobsons Bay.
According to VCGR figures, October grossed the highest expenditure in Hobsons Bay last year, with punters pumping more than $4.6 million into electronic gaming machines.
The average poker machine expenditure per adult in the municipality is $731, compared to the Victorian average of $611.
With only 42 poker machines, Williamstown RSL grossed more than $1.3 million – making it the least profitable venue in Hobsons Bay.
Compared to surrounding municipalities in the western suburbs, Hobsons Bay’s gambling expenditure fares relatively low.
Profits from pokie venues in the City of Wyndham grossed $89.2 million.
Wyndham, which is centred around Werribee, has 663 electronic gaming machines distributed across 11 licensed gaming venues. These include Werribee Plaza Tavern, which has become Victoria’s highest-earning pokies outlet.
The 80 gaming machines at the venue earned the club $19.1 million.
Brimbank, however, takes the cake.
With 953 electronic gaming machines distributed across 15 venues, Brimbank grossed more than $134.9 million.
