Pubs and clubs in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama earned more money from poker machines in the second half of 2020 than they did in the corresponding six months in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
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Despite the number of machines falling by more than 2000 across NSW, Illawarra poker machines collected almost $130 million from residents from July to December last year.
New figures released by the government department Liquor & Gaming NSW, showed that in the six months to June 1, 2020, poker machines at these Illawarra venues earned $70 million.
This was down from the $118 million collected in the previous six months.
The figures show pokies in the Wollongong local government area collected almost $93 million from July to December last year - more than $64.9 million of it from licensed clubs.
Shellharbour punters contributed almost $36 million during this time.
Wollongong's 2403 club-based poker machines made a profit of $64.9 million for six months. Wollongong's 592 hotel-based poker machines made a profit of just over $28 million, making the city the seventh-biggest losers in the state.
Shellharbour's 740 club-based poker machines made a profit of $25.7 million for six months, while the city's 186 hotel-based poker machines made $9.2 million profit.
In terms of total dollars kept, the Illawarra's most profitable was the Shellharbour Workers' Club, which has 248 machines and ranked as the 37th most profitable club in the state.
It was followed by Collegians Wollongong (ranked 40th), Wests Illawarra (43rd), and Dapto Leagues Club (70th).
In terms of profit-per-machine. Collegians Wollongong (ranked 9th) led the region, with Wests Illawarra (11th) in second, followed by Shellharbour Workers (22) and the Illawarra District Rugby League Football Club (67).
The most profitable hotels were Berkeley Hotel (ranked 137 statewide), Warrawong's Open Hearth Hotel (195) and Coniston Hotel (220),
Port Kembla's Commercial Hotel (147) produced the best per-machine result of Wollongong pubs, followed closely by Berkeley Hotel (151) and Corrimal Hotel (167).
Statewide, gamblers lost the most at Bankstown Sports Club and Homebush West's Markets Hotel.
The local government area of Sydney has by far the highest number of poker machines in pubs - 3135. The second highest concentration is in Canterbury-Bankstown, which has 913.
With 4097 pokies in clubs, Canterbury-Bankstown has more club machines than any other local government area
Liquor and Gaming NSW said figures from the first half of 2020 were "significantly impacted" by pandemic-induced restrictions on gaming venues.
Venues were closed for 10 weeks from March 23 to May 31.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
