More than $1 billion has been lost on poker machines in South Australia in the past year, with experts saying the issue is “spiralling out of control”, as cost of living pressures encourage some people to gamble more.
Revenue from gaming machines in SA exceeded $1 billion for the first time over the 2024–25 financial year, up nearly $53 million from the previous 12 months.
Of that, over $453 million was collected by the state government, while venues shared in nearly $555 million over the past financial year.
Losses were high in regional areas, including $24 million across the Mount Gambier and Grant councils and $20.7 million in Whyalla.
They were even greater in several Adelaide suburban council areas, such as Salisbury and Port…