Pokies' profits down

Profits from pokies may have fallen but they are still far higher than they were a few years ago.

Pubs and clubs have claimed that profits from pokies have dipped sharply since smokefree legislation came into effect last December.

Deputy Secretary of Internal Affairs Andrew Seeker said that in 2000, pub and club gaming machines made a gross profit of $450 million.

By 2004 that figure had increased by 130 per cent to $1.035 billion.

"So if gaming machine profits were $900 million in 2005 that would still be double what players spent in 2000."