A Fairfax Media analysis of new figures published by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority reveal NSW poker machine turnover - as distinct from profit or losses - was $73.3 billion in 2014-15, up from $68.9 billion the previous year.

The increase of $4.3 billion - or 6 per cent - was despite the number of gaming machines operating in NSW pubs and clubs falling by 244 to 93,364 in the same period.

In the local government area with the highest turnover, Fairfield, pokie gamblers pushed $7.6 billion through 3300 machines during 2014-15.

Pokie gambling in the Fairfield area increased by $629 million compared with the previous financial year. The surge in turnover occurred despite there being 410 fewer gaming machines in the area at June 30.

There were 2917 gaming machines in registered clubs within the Fairfield local government area and 477 in pubs, meaning on average $2.2 million was gambled on each machine in the past financial year.

The same trend is evident in other high-turnover local government areas.

In Canterbury, gamblers put $3.67 billion through machines last financial year - up $223 million on the previous period.

Yet the number of machines fell by 211 to 1988 at June 30 - meaning that, on average, $1.8 million was gambled on each machine during the year.

Gamblers in Bankstown put $3.66 billion through local gaming machines last financial year - an annual increase of $254 million.

During the period, the number of machines in Bankstown fell by 236 to 2527 at June 30 for an average annual turnover of $1.4 million each.

The figures, in ILGA's latest annual report, do not include gaming machine profits per local government area. But an ILGA spokesman said in NSW the average return to players is 90 per cent.

On this measure, NSW pokie gamblers lost more than $7.3 billion last financial year.

Under NSW law, when gaming machines are sold, one out of every three machines traded must be forfeited to the government.

The rule is designed to gradually reduce the number of gaming machines in NSW and contribute to a reduction in gambling-related harm.

But Monash University gambling researcher Charles Livingstone said the analysis of the latest figures showed the NSW scheme was ineffective.

Dr Livingstone said this was because NSW had so many poker machines, they are hardly ever all being played at once.

"Machine reductions are a good idea if you undertake them seriously and over a long period of time," he said. "But there's so much capacity in the system you'd have to make substantial cuts to reduce the revenue."

Dr Livingstone suggested machine numbers would need to be cut back to 70,000 or less in NSW to have an impact on how much money is being gambled on them annually.

He suggested the increase in money being gambled on pokies despite the reduction in machine numbers may have to do with the popularity of casino-style multi-terminal gaming machines in clubs offering games like roulette and blackjack.

The machines can take $100 bets - 10 times the maximum $10 bet per spin allowed on regular poker machines.

The ILGA spokesman noted that "NSW's economy and population are growing".

"The gaming machine market is dynamic and subject to changes in individual business circumstances as well as trends in wider industry investment and economic and population growth."

A spokesman for Deputy Premier and Gaming Minister Troy Grant defended the poker machine reduction scheme.

"The NSW government's strategy to reduce the number of poker machines has resulted in hundreds dropping out of circulation each year," he said.

He added that the government helps problem gamblers by funding "significant counselling and other support services through the Responsible Gambling Fund".