Gaming rooms were closed until October 2020 in Victoria, but gamblers were quick to return with $1.1 million dollars lost across 16 venues in November in North East Victoria.

New data from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation revealed more than $8.5 million dollars was lost to the North East's 604 pokie machines in the four months post restrictions easing.

The six machines in the Rural City of Benalla raked in the most money across November, December, January and February.

Gamblers lost about $440,000 across Benalla's 240 machines in November, $1.0 million in December, $1.1 million in January and $750,000 in February 2021.

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Wodonga's 143 machines took more than $2 million in four months, with approximately $225,000 lost in November, $619,000 lost in December, $711,000 lost in January and about $447,000 lost in February.

In Alpine shire, gamblers lost about $776,000 since restrictions ended, $104,000 in November, $222,000 in December, $288,00 in January and $162,300 in February.

While in Wangaratta, which is home to 153 machines across four venues, gamblers lost more than $2.0 million. In November, Wangaratta gamblers lost $349,000, in December $644,000, in January $856,000 and February $557,000.

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