Gambling Revenue Provides Major Funding for Queensland

Queensland, Australia, is lucky enough to have a huge portion of government funding paid for by gambling revenue, funding that would otherwise come from higher taxes.

Government officials in Queensland, Australia, say that rising gambling revenues will help create more than $800 million for the state's budget. The figure, which shows the gaming industry expanding rapidly in that area of the country, will account of roughly eleven percent of the region's total tax income.

The increase is mostly derived from a combination of efficiency and marketing by operators, combined with greater number of slot machines. The report issued by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing shows that other gambling forms, such as keno, lottery purchases, and sports betting are growing at a much slower rate than slot play.

The state agency also estimates the slot market has yet to peak, allowing Queensland at least one major source of income not threatened by the global recession. Numbers released by the regulatory agency show slots taking in a gross of over $4 million daily.

Experts say measuring techniques have helped operators work toward maximizing return on machines in place.

"There are many ways in which operators can increase their revenue, which are still being deployed throughout the system," said Dr. Charles Livingston, a gambling researcher at Monash University.

'They can re-design venues to encourage people to spend more time and more money in them, " noted Livingston. ''There are also a host of marketing techniques available to operators to get the most out of their machines."