The numbers represented the total turnover of money put into gaming machines, not winnings or losses, and put Albury in the top 20 per cent of NSW LGAs for pokie machine use.

Both Berrigan, with $158 million, and Corowa, with $343 million, also had nine-figure dollar amounts put into gaming machines.

The statistics were released as part of the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority’s 2014/15 annual report.

They showed a drop of more than $1 million in Albury pokies’ turnover from the previous year.

This was reflected by the number of pokie machines in Albury falling from 1307 to 1220 in 2014, but gamblers made the most of what they had.

The average amount of money put into each machine subsequently rose from $559,061 per machine in 2013/14 to $598,096 per machine.

St David's Care gambling counsellor Kelly Sweeting said she was surprised by the high Albury figures.

But she told The Border Mail clients would often go to the service for help with gambling debts of up to thousands of dollars.

“We get a lot of people who put a lot of money through the pokie machines,” Ms Sweeting said.

“Usually the gambling is a product of a deeper issue.”

Money lost in Albury’s pokies and other gambling services had led to mortgage stress, family breakdowns and anxiety or depression.

Fellow counsellor Kaily Goodsell said the high numbers showed there were always new people trying out the pokies.

“Gaming machines are the traditional (forms of gambling), people think it’s harmless,” she said.

“It’s like a rite of passage.

“When people turn 18, they go and put money on the pokies.”

The annual report stated Albury’s Railway Hotel made community contributions of $70,000 for the right to have 14 new machines installed in 2013.

It also noted the New Albury Hotel had a ban on using glasses or glass bottles overturned in June 2014.

Police had supported the ban because of past glassing incidents, but the hotel successfully argued it was not a high-risk venue.

Anyone seeking gambling counselling can contact St David's Care on (02) 6021 7099 or the gambling helpline on 1800 858 858.