8683.0 - Casinos, Australia, 2000-01  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 07/12/2001   
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MEDIA RELEASE

December 07, 2001
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
139/2001

A profitable year for casinos

The operating profit of Australia's 13 casinos for 2000-01 increased by 19% from the previous year to $537 million (m), according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today. This operating profit represented an operating profit margin of 17.4%.

The total income for the casino industry was $3,137m, with takings from gambling contributing $2,504m. The main components of gambling income were net takings from gaming tables ($1,464m) and net takings from poker/gaming machines ($1,021m) which have increased by 2% and 9% respectively since 1999-2000. In contrast to these increases, net takings from Keno ($19 m) decreased by 11%.

The net takings from gaming tables from overseas players was $611m, an increase of 13% since 1999-2000. Australian players lost $852m at the gaming tables during 2000-01, a decrease of 5% from the previous year.

These net takings represented a loss of $71 and $59 per head of the Australian adult population for poker/gaming machines and gaming tables respectively during 2000-01.

The industry incurred total expenses during 2000-01 of $2,599m, with labour costs remaining the most significant expense accounting for 32% ($842m) of total expenses. Casinos paid $503m in gambling taxes and levies, which was a 5% increase on the previous year and represented 20% of their net gambling income.

The industry continued to be dominated by casinos operated by the four largest enterprise groups (casinos under common ownership and control) accounting for 80% of employment (16,323 people), 83% of wages and salaries ($606m), and 87% of total income ($2,732m). This concentration is particularly pronounced in terms of profits, with the largest four enterprise groups accounting for 94% of industry profits.

At the end of June 2001, the casino industry employed 20,413 people, of whom 60% (12,319 people) were employed on a permanent full-time basis. The industry employed 8,353 licensed gaming staff, 2,099 waiters and waitresses, and 1,939 bar managers and attendants. The average wage per employee in casinos was $35,884. Gambling takings per licensed gaming staff member were $299,700, compared with $289,700 in 1999-2000.

Further details can be found in Casinos, Australia, 2000-01 (cat. no. 8683.0). Copies of this publication are available in ABS bookshops in capital cities. A summary of the main features may be found on this site. If you wish to purchase a copy of this publication contact the ABS Bookshop in your capital city.