Today, the industry generates over $5 billion annually, making it one of the largest contributors to the Australian economy. The government saw pokies as a potential source of revenue and began issuing licenses for their installation in clubs and pubs across the country. Then in the 1990s, they became electronic – making them more sophisticated and addictive. Whatever you call them, they’ve been popular in Australia since the 1950s when pubs and clubs were looking for ways to entertain their customers.
