Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation figures show that in the 12 months to June 30, there was $8.35 million put through Wodonga’s 184 poker machines, compared with $9.41 million in the 2008-09 financial year.

In May, Wodonga lost 14 poker machines in a statewide government auction, taking its total to 170; the Birallee Tavern increased its stake from 24 to 30 machines, while SS & A Wodonga retained 40 of its 60 machines.

With the exception of July last year, poker machine expenditure in Wodonga declined in each of the following 11 months in the 2009-10 financial year.

The four Wodonga venues all experienced a fall in revenue, with Elgin’s Hotel receiving $5.26 million; the Birallee Tavern, $1.12 million; SS & A Wodonga, $1.04 million; and Blazing Stump Hotel, $929,660.

Wangaratta saw a similar decline, down to $8.01 million from $8.45 million in 2008-09.

While takings were down at three of the city’s venues — the Old Town and Country Tavern, the Wangaratta Club and the Wangaratta RSL — it increased at the Pinsent Hotel, from $3.51 million in 2008-09 to $3.56 million in 2009-10.

In Benalla, poker machine revenue fell slightly from $5.67 million in 2008-09 to $5.51 million in 2009-10; up in six out of the 12 months compared with the year before.

In Alpine, revenue was down from $3.66 million in 2008-09 to $3.21 million in 2009-10, with declines in each of the 12 months compared with the previous financial year.

Victorian Gaming Minister Tony Robinson said spending on poker machines across the state fell by 4.1 per cent over the past financial year to $2.59 billion, compared with a growth of 3.67 per cent the previous year.

“This drop represents the largest decline since 2002-03 when smoking bans came into force,” Mr Robinson said.

Mr Robinson said the incidence of problem gambling had declined from 2.1 per cent of the Victorian adult population in 1999 to 0.7 per cent today.