Gamblers have returned to poker machines in New South Wales (NSW), with data stating that the turnover in the first week of operation after the clubs and pubs shutdown has been at pre-coronavirus pandemic levels despite the social distancing policies and the lower number of operational machines.
According to data provided by the gaming machine monitoring service MAX, the first week of June saw NSW Clubs’ pokie turnover slightly increase in comparison to an average week in June 2019. Moreover, hotels turnover increased by 31% in comparison to 2019.
Online gambling also registered an increase during the lengthy Covid-19 lockdown, as local gamblers had been left with no retail options to bet on. Clubs and pubs in the New South Wales experienced a 10-week closure, which seriously affected their main revenue source in an industry that generated a total of AU$6.5 billion a year ago.
A local gaming sector specialist with 25 years of experience, Justine Channing, explained that clubs and hotels in regional and city areas had both generated positive results, on average. Ms Channing also shared that big clubs might face some difficulties because of debt and restrictions imposed on the number of patrons allowed to be present at their premises at the same time, but medium-sized clubs are performing pretty well for the time being.
Australian Customers’ Gambling Expenditure Has Increased during the Covid-19 Crisis
According to analysts, the positive results of NSW pokie clubs and pubs were also helped by the fact that the premises’ owners removed underperforming games.
Unfortunately, there have been reports that people facing financial difficulties have spent their superannuation provided by the Government on gambling websites and other online gambling options. Tony Mohr, Executive Director of Alliance for Gambling Reform, a charity aimed at helping problem gamblers, shared that, unfortunately, more disposable cash provided by the Government at time of crisis gave people the chance to try to escape their financial concerns by turning to gambling.
As Casino Guardian reported, new analysis provided by the National Australia Bank (NBA) showed that Australians’ gambling expenditure has increased by 50% during coronavirus lockdown. According to the data analysis that was released earlier this week, the Australian customer spending on gambling during the shutdown was 50.7% higher in comparison to the one at the beginning of the year.
With the trend going upwards, anti-gambling campaigners have shared their concern that problem gambling rates in the country will also increase. Local people have spent much more time than they usually do at their homes, with them having literally unlimited access to gambling available online. The financial pressure faced by many Australians due to coronavirus uncertainties has made many of them feel anxious about the future, which also pushed some of them to start gambling online as a way to escape from their problems.
- Author
Olivia Cole
