Parramatta and Cumberland locals lost more on poker machines in 2023 than they did the previous year.
New data analysis from Wesley Mission highlights that NSW residents lost $8.1 billion to poker machines in 2023, slightly up on 2022 figures.
The Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA) saw a net loss of $244,323,319 in 2023, up 3.5 per cent on the previous year.
The Cumberland Local Government Area (LGA) saw a net loss of $473,487,489 in 2023, up 2.4 per cent on the previous year.
It puts both LGAs in the top 10 in the state for poker machine losses.
There was a 9.7 per cent increase in Parramatta locals losing money to the pokies in pubs.
“We’ve seen a growing increase in the amount of money that is lost in pubs,” said General Manager of Wesley Mission, Jim Wackett.
“Pubs have year on year increased the amount of money that [is] lost through their machines, but they’ve also increased as a percentage on the total losses in NSW as well.
“So, while pubs in NSW only have 25 per cent of all poker machines, they now account for over 44 per cent of the losses and that’s going up and up every year.”
Wackett said that NSW has seen an increase in younger demographics frequently playing poker machines.
“This is one of the really disturbing things… because poker machines have been so common and so ubiquitous in NSW for so many years now it is almost seen as a rite of passage for some people when they turn 18,” Wackett said.
“You know, you go to the pub, [and] you buy a drink, [and] you go play the pokies.
“That’s the first step on a slippery slope, these machines are designed to addict.”
Wesley Mission is strongly advocating for gambling reforms to reduce the amount of money lost across NSW.
“We’ve been pushing now, for a couple of years, a range of reforms,” Wackett said.
“As Wesley Mission as an organisation we deal every day with people enduring the impacts of gambling harm, whether that’s through our family and community services, through Lifeline, through our financial counselling services [or] through our homelessness services.”
Wesley Mission is advocating for the reforms to include mandatory cashless gaming, a state-wide self-exclusion register, and a reduction in the number of hours EGMs are available for use.
For gambling help, call 1800 858 858 for 24/7 free and anonymous support.
