Electronic gaming machines contributed A$8.32 billion (US$5.98 billion) to the Australian economy in 2016-17 and provided jobs for more than 46,000 people.
That’s according to a new study commissioned by the Gaming Technologies Association, a Sydney-based trade group representing 14 of the country’s games and systems providers.
The study, conducted by the Centre for International Economics, found the industry generated A$12.6 billion in gaming revenue over the period and paid state and federal taxes of $5.5 billion during that time.
Exports, which the Centre calculated as play by international visitors and sales of gaming equipment overseas, totaled $284 million.
The number of people employed directly in EGMs in pubs and clubs was estimated at 42,724. Casinos employed another 1,884. More than 2,000 worked in the manufacturing side.
The Centre, a consulting firm headquartered in the capital of Canberra, reports on nearly every sector of the Australian economy.
The GTA also hosts and operates the annual Australasian Gaming Expo.
