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SYDNEY, April 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Gamblers in Australia lost
13.3 billion Australian dollars (dlrs 6.6 billion) in the last financial
year the equivalent of about 931 Australian dollars (dlrs 465) for
every person in the country, according to a report Saturday. Gambling turnover surged 10 percent to 113 billion dollars (dlrs
56 billion) in the 12 months ending June 30, 2000, the Weekend
Australian newspaper reported, citing figures from the Tasmanian
state Gaming Commission. Poker machines, which are found in virtually every bar in
Australia, were the main source of revenue with a turnover of 74
billion dollars (dlrs 37 billion). Australians also bet on horse racing and other sports as well as
buying mountains of lottery tickets. While state governments have announced moves to cut down the
amount of gambling in Australia, they also profit from the betting
frenzy. According to the Tasmanian commission, state governments made
4.4 billion Australian dollars (dlrs 2.2 billion) last year in gambling
taxes. Enditem
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