Vic: Bracks predicts gaming losses will increase in future
MELBOURNE, Aug 8 AAP - Spending on poker machines in Victoria would increase in thefuture despite a fall in player losses last year, Premier Steve Bracks said today.
New figures show Victorians lost $2.33 billion on poker machines in 2002-03 - down8.9 per cent on the previous year.
Mr Bracks said the fall was due to the government's gaming reforms, particularly aban on smoking in gaming venues.
He said a drop in gaming taxes had been anticipated, but gaming revenue was expectedto increase again in future years as poker machine spending recovered.
"We've already predicted there will be an easing off in gaming revenue because of themeasures we've taken and that's been factored into the budget," he told reporters.
"We've also estimated that there will be a slight increase into the future as therewill be a correction from smoking (bans)."
The state budget papers forecast $826 million in gaming revenue in 2002-03, down from$894 million the previous year.
But that figure is expected to increase to $895 million this financial year.
AAP bp/gfr/lb/de
KEYWORD: GAMING VIC BRACKS
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